MENNONITEJ IN THE CITIEJ OE
IMPERIAL RU//IA
VOL.1
BY
HELMUT T. HUEBERT
BARVENKOVO
BERDYAIMJK
MELITOPOL
MILLEROVO
ORECHOV
POLOGI
/EVA/TOPOL
JIMFEROPOL
SP
SPRINGFIELD
| PUBLISHERS
/
*
MENNONITEJ IN THE CITIEJ OF
IMPERIAL RU//IA
VOL I
BARVENKOVO
BERDYAN/K
MELITOPOL
MILLEROVO
ORECHOV
POLOGI
/EVA/TOPOL
JIMFEROPOL
MENNONITEJ IN THE CITIEJ OF
IMPERIAL RU//IA
VOL.1
BY
HELMUT T. HUEBERT
BARVENKOVO
BERDYAN/K
MELITOPOL
MILLEROVO
ORECHOV
POLOGI
/EVA/TOPOL
JIMFEROPOL
SPRINGFIELD
PUBUSHERS
Published by Springfield Publishers of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Library and Archives Canada Cataloguing in Publication
Huebert, Helmut T., 1935-
Mennonites in the cities of imperial Russia / author and cartographer,
Helmut T. Huebert.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 0-920643-10-8 (v. 1)
1. Mennonites—Russia—History. 2. Mennonites—Ukraine—History.
Mennonites—Russia—Registers. 4. Mennonites—Ukraine—Registers.
5. Mennonites—Russia—Biography. 6. Mennonites—Ukraine—Biography.
I. Title.
BX8119.R8H843 2006 289.7'47 C2006-905055-4
All cartography by Helmut T. Huebert.
Copy Editor Susan E. Huebert
First Printing October 2006
Second Printing November 2008
MENNONITES IN THE CITIES OF IMPERIAL RUSSIA VOLUME I
Barvenkovo, Berdyansk, Melitopol, Millerovo, Orechov, Pologi, Sevastopol,
Simferopol
Copyright© 2006 by Springfield Publishers, 6 Litz Place, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada,
R2G 0V1, telephone (204) 334-4728, E-mail huebertzfemts.net
All rights reserved. With the exception of brief excerpts for review or very limited copying
of materials for strictly private use, no part of this book may be reproduced without
written permission by the publisher.
International Standard Book Number 0-920643-10-8
Printed in Canada by Christian Press, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
PREFACE
When the Mennonites first migrated from Prussia to South Russia in 1789 to form the
Chortitza Colony, then again in 1804 to establish the Molotschna Colony, they moved onto the land.
They were not all originally farmers in Prussia, and for that matter they were not all good farmers
in Russia, but forming closed farm villages seemed most likely to allow them to control their own
destiny in the new home land.
When the two Mennonite delegates, Hoeppner and Bartsch, had negotiated for the proposed
settlement, they were looking primarily for good agricultural land, but they also obtained privileges
to build factories and other business enterprises both in their own villages and in the cities of
Ekaterinoslav and Taurida provinces. The option of living in the city was first exercised by Heinrich
Thiessen, who settled in Ekaterinoslav (now Dnepropetrovsk) in 1805, building a treadmill and a
vinegar processing plant. He was followed by a number of other families, and in time a large
percentage of the flour milling capacity of the city was owned by Mennonites. Mennonites moved
into Berdyansk soon after it was developed into a port on the Sea of Azov in the 1830s, and
continued to have a considerable presence in that city until the Communist takeover in the 1920s.
In some cities Mennonites played a major role in civic administration, such as in Ekaterinoslav and
Berdyansk, while in others they seem to have participated very little, such as in Millerovo.
Mennonites were eventually found in most cities of Imperial Russia - in some capacity or
other. For a scholarly analysis of the phenomenon itself I refer you to an excellent article written by
George Epp in 1989 as part of a volume honouring the memory of Gerhard Lohrenz. This present
book, on the other hand, is meant to be a source of specific information, largely about individuals.
An attempt is made to document the presence in the cities of every single Mennonite that walked the
urban streets, those that could be confirmed by specific evidence. This often included people who
moved to the cities for business reasons, especially to build flour mills and agricultural machinery
factories - such as Millerovo, Orechov and Barvenkovo. In the latter part of the nineteenth and early
part of the twentieth century young people visited various universities and colleges in the cities, so
they are also listed, for example ten medical students in Simferopol. Some Mennonites moved to
the cities to teach in various institutions, for example A H Unruh in Barvenkovo and A A Neufeld
in Berdyansk. The lists even include unfortunates incarcerated in city prisons, for example Franz
Teichrieb in Simferopol during the “Great Purge” of Stalin. A considerable number have also been
identified in the 1920s as those needing food vouchers, or as refugees fleeing from the Soviet Union,
from lists published in the Mennonite press.
It was originally planned to include all of the major cities of Imperial Russia in one volume,
but it soon became apparent that the number of Mennonites being recorded was much larger than
originally contemplated; it will require a two volume set. The second volume will be worked on
soon after the first one is published.
The typical city chapter includes a brief history of the city, with its historical significance and
Mennonite connections being featured, followed by maps of the city and the surrounding area and
some pictures of the city itself. Then comes a complete list of every Mennonite known to have lived
or stayed in the city, including some other information such as date of birth, parents, children and
major events in the life of the person. Mennonite institutions, events and businesses are listed,
v
including pictures where available. In some instances important Mennonite events have been
detailed. Brief (up to ten page) biographies of selected prominent individuals who lived in the city
are part of the chapter; this writing often involved direct contact with their descendants. Sources are
listed for each city chapter, but also specifically mentioned for each of the major biographies. Size
of the chapters varies tremendously, that for Pologi, for example, being 12 pages, that for Berdyansk
is 166 pages. There is a personal name index of those who lived in the cities at the back of the book.
1 owe my thanks to the two archive centres in Winnipeg, the Centre for M B Studies and the
Mennonite Heritage Centre. Conrad Stoesz, who works at both centres, has been a valuable and
always cheerful helper, particularly in preparing long lists using the GRANDMA Genealogy program
to ferret out hundreds of names. Many others have also been graciously forthcoming in supplying
information, especially when their own forefathers were involved. Without all this help the task of
this compilation would have been impossible.
I have had to be practical in some instances, although I also realize that academics will find
this inexcusable. To have specifically designated footnotes in each instance from which information
has been gleaned would make it much easier for researchers to check my sources, but would also
have made the book a nightmare for the ordinary reader. It also would have made the book
substantially bigger. 1 have elected to have sources listed at the end of each biography and at the end
of each city chapter. Again, some additional annoyance for those interested in proper details. I have
chosen to ignore periods after name initials. It is not J. B. Toews, but J B Toews. This has saved
me many hours of careful detailed editorial scrutiny.
It will be noted that the people who actually lived in the city are, in the first primary reference
of each city, listed in bold type. Other friends and relatives who did not live in the city, as important
as they may be, are in ordinary type. If that person’s name appears again on that same city list, it no
longer merits the bold type. Some people lived in more than one city - then they deserved a bold
designation in each city.
Not everyone will agree with all the data presented in this book, and 1 sympathize with this
point of view. It must be realized, however, that I could only be as accurate as the documents from
which I got the information. An example of the difficulty would be one family where three sources
list the same parents, same birthdays and all, but the list of children varies substantially, both in
names, birth order and actually the number of children. They are all deceased, so 1 could not ask
anyone directly!
I sincerely trust that this book will be a valuable tool for further research into the lives of
many Mennonites who lived and worked in the fascinating world of the cities of Imperial Russia.
Helmut T Huebert
October, 2006
vi
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Preface.v
Table of Contents.vii
Map: South Russia.viii
I Barvenkovo.1
Abraham Heinrich Unruh (1878-1961).43
II Berdyansk.52
Komelius Janzen.182
Leonhard Isaak Sudermann.193
Heinrich Ediger and Alexander Ediger.203
III Melitopol.219
IV Millerovo.257
Wilhelm Isaak Dyck.318
Cornelius Abram DeFehr.329
Komelius Jakob Martens and Maria (nee Dyck) Martens.339
V Orechov.355
VI Pologi.374
VII Sevastopol.386
Peter Martinovitch Friesen.396
VIII Simferopol.408
vii
Index
438
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Table of Contents.1
History of Barvenkovo.2
Barvenkovo city square in 1913.4
Map of Kharkov Province.5
Map of Naumenko Colony.5
Map of Barvenkovo City (1939).6
List of People.7
Pictures of People.26
Mennonite Institutions.31
Pictures of Schools.34
Mennonite Businesses.35
Pictures of Business Establishments.36
Mennonite Estates near Barvenkovo.42
Abraham Heinrich Unruh (1878-1961).43
Sources.50
HISTORY OF BARVENKOVO
Barvenkovo city is the centre of the Barvenkovo Region, in the Kharkov Oblast of the
Ukraine. It is located on the Sukhoi Torets River in the Sevemyi Donets basin. It is about 140 km
south-southeast of Kharkov.
There are two theories about the founding of Barvenkovo. According to one version twelve
Cossacks from Zaporozhye, headed by Chief Barvenko, came to settle in the region in 1653. The
second version dates the Cossack settlement, headed by Barvenkovo, to 1734. In 1760 a fortress was
built in the territory; about 200 Cossacks occupied the region. The settlement grew, in 1770 having
a population of 2,409; by 1790 it was 3,370. The principal occupation was farming. At some time
landlords must have moved in to claim the area, since it is mentioned that most of the people were
very poor, working mainly for the benefit of the landowners.
With expansion of the railways in the late nineteenth century a line was built through
Barvenkovo, connecting it to Lozovaya in the west and Slavansk in the east. It was the presence of
the rail connection, coupled with good surrounding agricultural land and an abundant supply of
labour that first attracted Mennonite business to the city. By the late nineteenth century the
population was 14,000.
Starting in 1894 Mennonites started moving into the city. Peter and Gerhard Froese built a
steam-powered flour mill at that time. By 1910 Mennonites owned four large flour mills and two
smaller ones, one large factory producing agricultural and industrial machinery, and a number of
machine shops and warehouses as well as two large dealerships for imported machinery. They had
an elementary school, participated in the running of a secondary school, and worshiped in their own
church building. In 1914 there were 216 Mennonites in the city.
There was periodically some tension between the Russian and the Mennonite populations.
There was some worker agitation in the industrial enterprises in the mini-revolution of 1905-1906;
this likely included workers at Mennonite business enterprises. Missionary activity by Mennonites
among the Russian population irritated the local Russian authorities, especially the church hierarchy,
culminating in the jailing of two Mennonite leaders for a brief time in 1909. Most often, however,
there was cooperation, as exemplified in the joint sponsorship of the secondary school.
Itinerant minister Elder Hermann A Neufeld reported that in the third week of January of
1919 refugees fled from Barvenkovo and surrounding areas, fleeing from Anarchist bands. A large
battle took place near Barvenkovo, apparently won by the Cossack White Army.
After the Revolution anti-German sentiments together with government confiscation of
private business caused many of the Mennonite industrialists and leaders to flee from Barvenkovo.
The Mennonite Brethren Church continued to function for some time in the 1920s, so a number of
Mennonites must have remained.
In the 1930s Barvenkovo was said to have six mills, an electrical power station, three sausage
shops, an alcohol brewery, six industrial workshops as well as the factory “Red Ray.” The
population was 17,000. Barvenkovo was declared to be a city in 1938.
In September of 1941, in response to the German invasion, the Soviets evacuated industrial
machinery and much of the population so that it would not be overrun by the invaders. There were
ferocious battles, often with large numbers of tanks, fought between the German Army and the Red
2
Army in and around Barvenkovo, destroying much of the city. The front moved back and forth;
Barvenkovo was first occupied by the Germans on 23 October 1941. A number of citizens were
arrested and executed; 490 people were taken to Germany as slave labour. Eventually, after the
defeat in Stalingrad, the Germans retreated from the region in September of 1943.
After the war many of the citizens returned and tried to rebuild Barvenkovo. The Froese
flour mills had been destroyed, likely during the war, and were not rebuilt. The “Red Ray” (formerly
Latch ) factory was not completely destroyed, and some parts of it were reconstructed to allow it to
continue functioning on a limited scale. In 1968 the population of the city was 14,300. Industry
included a mine equipment plant, food and light industry enterprises and production of construction
materials.
Recent visitors have noted that the city does not appear to be growing. The factory “Red
Ray” does at times seem to be producing, although on one occasion most of its workers were laid
off. There were small shops and businesses, but as a whole there did not seem to be much
commercial activity.
3
Barvenkovo city square in 1913
Sebekino. KHARK0V
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Bogoduchov
\ vV
PROVINCE
Based on modem maps
emphasizing the
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Novo-
pavlovka
Pashkovo
) Sukhoi Torets River
NAUMENKO
COLONY
Showing Barvenkovo
Vassilyevka and
Petrovka
VassilyevkaJ
' Privolye
Petrovka 5
5
6
LIST OF PEOPLE
(People who at one time lived in Barvenkovo)
(Each name will appear in bold print only once)
We have been able to identify at least 184 Mennonites who spent some time of their life
in the city of Barvenkovo. This does not include people who lived in the neighbouring villages
such as Vassilyevka and Petrovka, which were also part of he Naumenko Colony. Obviously the
list is incomplete, since there were said to be 216 Mennonites in the city in 1914
Albrecht, Franz
Bom 25 December 1850 in Sandhof, Russia
Married Margaretha Friesen
Bom 24 April 1853 in Rosenort, Molotschna
Children:
Elisabeth - bom 4 January 1873, likely in Slavgorod, with family to Barvenkovo in 1889,
married Peter Doerksen 17 June 1900, died 23 November 1904, likely in
Barvenkovo
Margaretha - bom 20 November 1874, likely in Slavgorod, with family to Barvenkovo
in 1889, married Cornelius Penner 13 October 1894
Nikolai - bom 7 June 1876 in Slavgorod, moved with family to Barvenkovo in 1889
Married Susanna Rempel 1 June 1899
Children:
Heinrich - bom March 1900 in Barvenkovo, died 11 April 1902 in
Barvenkovo
Jakob - bom 24 August 1901 in Barvenkovo, married Anna Hildebrand
22 May 1925, stayed in Russia when the rest of the family
immigrated to Canada in 1926, 4 children
Nikolai - bom 27 April 1903 in Barvenkovo, died 4 August 1904 in
Barvenkovo
Susanna - bom 12 November 1904 in Barvenkovo, died 12 August 1921
in Grigoryevka
Margaretha - bom 9 February 1906 in Barvenkovo, died 28 February
1906 in Barvenkovo
Anna - bom 28 January 1907 in Barvenkovo, immigrated to Canada with
family in 1926, married Jakob Cornelius Neufeld 5 August 1928,
8 children, died 15 December 1974, likely in Coaldale, Alberta
Nikolai - bom 4 March 1909 in Barvenkovo, died 5 August 1910 in
Barvenkovo
Wife Susanna died of cholera 28 July 1910
Moved to Grigoryevka 1910
Married Sara Loepp 22 January 1911
Children: Sara, Heinrich, Nikolai, Margaretha, Agatha, Peter, Komelius, Johann,
Maria
7
Nikolai, wife Sara and 9 children immigrated to Canada, arriving in Plum Coulee,
Manitoba in September 1926. Married son Jakob did not immigrate with
the family
Bought a farm 5 miles west of Boissevain, Manitoba
Nikolai died in Boissevain 3 November 1931, Sara died 21 September 1968
Brucks family
Three Brucks family members are on the picture of the Barvenkovo youth group, 2 females
and 1 male
Derksen, David
Minister
Moved to Barvenkovo and served as a minister in the church
Owned a business dealing with musical instruments
Dick, J
Engineer at the large Froese mill
Played a part in the construction of the church/school, particularly in the construction of a
movable partition
Dick, Peter Heinrich
Lived in Barvenkovo
Owned an estate of 500 dessiatines in the Isjum region
Dueck, Bernhard Bernhard
Bom 27 December 1879 in Kronberg
Third child of Bernhard Heinrich Dueck and Helena Wiebe
Father died at age 60 (March 1898) in Kronberg, mother died 12 October 1912 in Barvenkovo
A younger sister Katharina married Johann Peter Froese; he was one of the co-owners of
the Lutch factory. She died in March of 1919
An even younger sister Sara first married Johann Abram Froese, then after he died married
Johann Peter Froese in November 1919 after the death of her sister Katharina
Married Anna Thiessen, likely about 1909.
In 1910 joined with brother-in-law Johann Peter Froese and Johann Johann Klassen to build
the Lurch factory to produce agricultural and industrial machinery
At first went well, but in a few years went heavily into debt
The family home in Barvenkovo was on the factory grounds, next to the other owners’ homes
The homes were not particularly elaborate, but of the three, the Dueck house was the best
Eventually sold to Russians from Kharkov, but this deal did not work out
The Communist government bought them out, but the amount paid was very small
With the unsettled times the Dueck family bought a small farm in the Nauvenko colony near
Barvenkovo
Immigrated to Canada in 1926, settling in Gnadental, Manitoba
Bernhard died 21 April 1941 in Gnadental, wife Anna lived considerably longer
Children:
Anna - born in Barvenkovo about 1910; went to elementary school there
To Canada with parents in 1926
Married Philip Wiebe; with family moved to Clearbrook, BC
8
Dueck, Helene (Mrs Bernhard Dueck)
Married Bernhard Dueck, he died in Kronberg at the age of 60
Their children: Abram, Heinrich, Bernhard, Katharina, Peter, Sarah, Dietrich
Of these Bernhard, Katharina, and Sara lived for a time in Barvenkovo
For a time Helene Dueck was guardian of the young Aron Peter Froese
She lived with the Johann Peter Froese family in Barvenkovo (with her daughter Katharina)
until she died in 1912
Dyck, Johann
Wife Maria
Son Paul
Sister Anna
Immigrated to Canada, landing 2 January 1926
Eitzen, K
Contributed 40 rubles to the Bethania Heilanstalt by October 1911
Epp, Heinrich
Owner of a small steam-powered flour mill
The business was valued at 40,000 rubles in 1908
Epp, Peter
At the request of A H Unruh he was added to the faculty of the Kommerzschule for more
advanced studies in German
Falk, Maria
Son
Immigrated to Canada, landing 21 October 1925
Froese, Abram
Attended the Gymnasium in Barvenkovo in 1919
Froese, Aron Peter
Bom 21 May 1895 in Andreasfeld
Parents Peter Komelius Froese and his second wife Maria Loeppky; eighth child of this
marriage
Orphaned age 6, lived in the home of Mr Thiessen of Blumenheim, but then went to the
home of widow Mrs Helena Dueck in Barvenkovo, the mother of Bernhard Bernhard
Dueck
Received education in Dorfschule and Kommerzschule in Barvenkovo
Graduated as a bookkeeper and was employed by Johann Peter Froese in the Lutch factory
When WWI broke out served as a Sanitaeter
During the Revolution was forced into the Red Army. Was taken prisoner by the Whites, but
escaped and eventually arrived back in Barvenkovo
Met and married Katharina Goertzen 10 September 1922
In 1926 Aron, wife and 2 children immigrated to Canada
Went to Laird, then Mayfair and Mulligar, Saskatchewan
1935 to Little Buffalo in Glenbush area; 1938 to Wingham, Manitoba
Serious accident resulting in his death 23 October 1956 in Manitoba
In 1960 wife Katharina and daughters moved to Winnipeg
9
12 children:
Anna - bom 26 July 1923 in Ukraine
married John B Enns
Johann - born 10 January 1925 in Ukraine
married Jessie Schmidt
David - bom 23 November 1926
married Margaret Peters
Cornelius - bom 22 April 1928
married Elnora Heinrichs
Frank - bom 30 October 1929
married Agnes Duncan
Bernhard - born 16 June 1931
married Janet Penner
Aron - bom 16 June 1931
married Mary Durksen
Katharina (Kay) - bom 28 September 1933
George - bom 6 April 1936
married Verna Penner
Mary - bom 29 September 1938
Elizabeth- bom 21 November 1939
Margaret - bom 3 October 1942
married Emil Richard Kasak
Froese, Bernhard Peter
Bom 6 January 1893 in Andreasfeld
Parents Peter Komelius Froese and his second wife Maria Loeppky; seventh child of this
marriage
Orphan at the age of 8 years
Went to live with his eldest half-brother Peter in Barvenkovo
Peter made it possible for him to continue his education, elementary and
Kommerzschule in Barvenkovo, then university in Moscow
Education cut short when he was drafted into the Forsteidienst
During the Revolution he was a medical aide, assisting both Reds and Whites
When able to, he returned to his family, who by then was living in Vassilyevka
Married Maria Froese in 1922
Immigrated to Canada in 1926 when the second daughter was a few months old
Pioneered at Mulligar, Saskatchewan. Moved when the MB Church became too small to be
registered
Died 1 month after moving to Newton, Manitoba, on 3 November 1950
Wife Maria moved to Winnipeg, where she died in 1966
Children:
Maria (Mary) - bom 23 June 1924 in Andreasfeld
married George Petkau
Agathe - bom 26 January 1926 in Ukraine
10
married Julius Petkau
Anna - bom 7 October 1927
married George Dyck
Jacob - bom 14 August 1932
married Tina Peters
Helena - bom 23 March 1935
married Bert Goertzen
Peter - bom 2 April 1937
Froese, David Peter
Bom 26 March 1890
Sixth child of Peter Komelius Froese and his second wife Maria Loeppky
Age 11 became an orphan. Given to Peter and Anna Nickel, relatives who had no children
Not happy in this home
After his graduation from Dorfschule in 1906 or 1907, taken in by his older half-brothers to be
a helper in their flour mills
Brothers noticed the potential for becoming a miller, so they arranged for him to take a one
year course in Germany
Upon his return he became a miller in one of the brothers’ mills in Barvenkovo
David was known to be punctual and meticulous
Became acquainted with Katharina Neustaedter, who had helped in the Gerhard Froese home
for one winter
Did his required years in the Forsteidienst, then married Katharina on 16 April 1916 in
Nikolaiyevka
Both were baptized and became members of the MB Church before they were married
David worked as miller in various villages of the Ukraine, eventually working mainly in
repair and reconstruction. Some of this time was spent in Barvenkovo
Attempted to leave the USSR in 1929 via Moscow, but were unsuccessful
Harassment and political persecution
Children:
Peter - bom 19 May 1917, died 8 Aug 1918
Hilda - bom 21 Dec 1919 in Kamenskaya
Kornelius - bom 14 August 1924 in Barvenkovo, died 12 March 1963 in USSR
Johann (Hans) - bom 4 February 1928 in Barvenkovo
Imprisoned by the NKVD on 22 February 1938 when they were living in Alexandromarovka
Visited once by his son Komelius, then never heard from again, probably died 1938
Wife Katharina and 3 children overrun by German invading forces during WWII, then
retreated along with them
Son Komelius drafted into the German army and eventually recaptured by the Soviets
Katharina, Hilda and Johann eventually arrived in Canada in 1948
Katharina died 8 March 1980 following a stroke
Froese, Franz Abraham
Son of Abraham Abraham Froese (who was brother of Gerhard and Peter Froese) of
Wiesenfeld. Franz stayed at the home of Gerhard Froese when he went to
11
Kommerzschule in Barvenkovo, possibly 1915-18. Franz and his father Abraham
were killed by bandits in 1919
Froese, Franz Peter
Bom 11 February 1883 in Andreasfeld
Third child of Peter Komelius Froese and his second wife Maria Loeppky
1890-97 Dorfschule in Andreasfeld
Accepted Christ as Saviour 1897
Zentralschule in Chortitza 1897-1901
Both parents died; he worked on the family farm for a year
Spring 1902 to Barvenkovo to train as a bookkeeper in the flour mill owned by his 2 older
half-brothers and Aron Lepp. Hired as a bookkeeper for the company when he finished
his course
Lived with Gerhard, then with Peter
Married Anna Lepp, daughter of one of the mill partners, on 6 January 1905
Drafted into Forsteidienst in 1905 at Razin, Kherson
Back to his position when he completed his temi
Spring 1909 Aron Lepp sold his share of the flour mill and moved to Omsk, Siberia, where he
established his own mill.
Franz and Anna followed Lepp to Omsk, where Franz worked as bookkeeper in the business
Did not succeed, so Lepp sold the mill in 1912 and built a farm implement factory. Again
Franz was employed as bookkeeper
In 1913 Aron Lepp bought 301 dessiatines of land 12 miles south of Omsk (not completely
debt free), and gave it to his 2 daughters, Anna Froese and Katharina Janzen. The 2
young couples moved onto the land in the spring of 1914
Called the estate Ekatherinovka
1914-17 both Franz Froese and Janzen served in Forsteidienst
1924 Franz and Anna immigrated to Canada, settling first in Aberdeen, Saskatchewan
Pioneered in Mayfair, Saskatchewan; sold out and moved to Virgil, Ontario
Back west to Manitoba after 1 'A years. Eventually a 3 acre plot in North Kildonan, active in
the MB Church
Anna died 19 May 1947, Franz moved to British Columbia, married Maria Penner
Maria died 24 Jan 1967
Franz back to Winnipeg, in time to Donwood Manor; he died 21 June 1883 at the age of 100
Children:
Franz - bom October 1908 in Barvenkovo, to Omsk with the family at age of
7 months
Katharina - bom 27 January 1910 in Omsk
Aron - bom 8 November 1912 in Omsk, died 5 January 1915 in Omsk
Maria - bom 25 September 1917 in Ekatherinovka, died 28 February 1921 in
Estate Ekatherinovka
Peter - bom 12 April 1920 in Ekatherinovka, died 4 March 1921 in Ekatherinovka
Anna - bom 26 November 1921 in Ekatherinovka, died January 1923 in
Ekatherinovka
12
Johann (John) - bora 23 May 1924 in Aberdeen, Saskatchewan
Froese, Gerhard Peter
Bom 26 July 1867 in Andreasfeld
Sixth child of Peter Komelius Froese and Maria Bock
Experienced spiritual renewal at age 18
Married Anna Penner 26 April 1890
Lived in Andreasfeld; first 2 children bom there
1894 Gerhard with brother Peter and brother-in-law Aron Lepp (son of Elder Aron Lepp)
constructed a steam-powered flour mill in Barvenkovo
1904 expanded and built a larger mill
Deacon of the MB Church, and involved in its formation and function
Involved with establishing the Mennonite elementary school
Concerned about the spiritual welfare of his employees and began to hold religious services
at the mill in Russian
In 1908 a travelling Russian minister held a service without reporting it to the police, they
arrested and jailed Gerhard and A H Unruh, the minister at the Barvenkovo MB Church,
spent 30 days in jail.
Family enjoyed great wealth and prosperity until the Revolution when they lost the mill and
all their properties
Fled to Tchongrav, Crimea, where Gerhard was able to buy a small farm, he found it difficult
to return to hard farm labour
In 1929 Gerhard and Anna, with 3 daughters, Maria, Margaretha and Amalie were able to
escape through Moscow, stayed in Germany for half a year, 1930 they arrived in Winkler
In 1933 they moved to Winnipeg, joined the South-End Mennonite Brethren Church,
where Gerhard was deacon and treasurer, Anna was active in the ladies’ group
Children:
Katharina (Kaeti) - bora 13 May 1892 in Andreasfeld
Attended elementary school in Barvenkovo, Maedchenschule in Neu-Halbstadt
Married Gerhard Reimer 16 June 1912
Husband studied in universities in Kiev, Saratov
Back to Barvenkovo, then to Moscow, where husband was in Sanitaetsdienst
Fled from Barvenkovo with parents in 1918, to Tchongrav, Crimea
Husband Gerhard taught in Bible School in Tchongrav
Katharina died 26 March 1921 in the Crimea, after birth of second child
Anna - bom 14 November 1894 in Andreasfeld
Married Jakob Janzen June 1917, he was a bookkeeper at the mill
Anna attended elementary school in Barvenkovo, then 2 years Maedchenschule
Helped manage Froese household, fled to Crimea in 1918 with rest of family
Evacuated 1941, Jakob exiled and died 1945
Anna and daughters on the “Great Trek,” eventually to Canada in 1948
Died 3 April 1953 in Winnipeg
Maria - bora 9 January 1885 in Barvenkovo
Elementary school and Kommerzschule in Barvenkovo
13
Bookkeeper in family flour mill
Fled to Crimea with family in 1918; worked as teacher
To Moscow, then Germany in 1929 with parents
To Canada in 1930, first to Winkler, then in 1933 to Winnipeg
Worked as domestic, then for the German newspaper Nordwesten
Died 27 October 1980 in Winnipeg
Susannah - bom 17 November 1897 in Barvenkovo
Elementary school in Barvenkovo, then Maedchenschule
Fled to Tchongrav, Crimea, in 1918 with family, worked in hospital in Karassan
Met and married Franz Teichrieb 10 December 1924
Franz was a carpenter who lived in Spat
Could not leave in 1929 because Franz had typhoid fever
Franz exiled in 1936, died in exile 1938 or 1939
Susanna and children evacuated in 1941; on “Great Trek” in 1943-1944
To Winnipeg, Canada in 1947, died 2 July 1979 in Winnipeg
Agatha - bom 13 October 1899 in Barvenkovo, died 3 March 1902 measles epidemic, in
Barvenkovo
Gerhard - bom 18 January 1902 in Barvenkovo, died 3 August 1918 in Barvenkovo
Attended elementary school and Kommerzschule in Barvenkovo
Died 3 August 1918 in Barvenkovo, of typhoid fever, 18 days after onset
hi October 1950 Gerhard and Anna celebrated their Diamond Wedding Anniversary
Gerhard died 29 June 1955; Anna died 3 years later
Froese, Heinrich
Bom 21 September 1897 in Barvenkovo
Wife Anna - bom 26 March 1895 in Lichtfelde, Molotschna
Children:
Elisabeth - born 7 April 1921 in Taschumyevka, Omsk
Franz - bom 11 March 1923 in Taschumyevka, Omsk
Alfred - born 23 March 1925 in Taschumyevka, Omsk
The family lived in Taschumyevka, Omsk region, then later fled over the Amur River ice to
Harbin, China, from where they likely went to South America
Froese, Jakob
Minister in the MB Church
He and A H Unruh ministered to the surrounding Russian population
Froese, Jakob Kornelius
Owner of a machinery business
Froese, Jakob Peter
Bom 5 February 1888 in Andreasfeld
Parents Peter Kornelius Froese and his second wife Maria Loeppky; fifth child of this
marriage
Attended Dorfschule for one more year after the death of his parents in 1901
Taken in temporarily by his older half-brother Abraham in Wiesenthal, then later by a
Thiessen family in Kronberg, until their son returned he was employed as foreman on
14
their farm
Later found employment with a cousin, Jakob Komelius Froese, in a machine business in
Barvenkovo. Here he performed well
Married Maria Penner of Barvenkovo, her father owned a Schlichtmuehle, Jakob became
co-owner of the business
Drafted into Sanitaetsdienst during WWI, became ill with typhus
He came home to die, leaving his widow with one daughter
He died 21 November 1919 in Barvenkovo
Froese, Johann Peter
Bom 25 March 1878 in Andreasfeld
First child of Peter Komelius Froese and his second wife Maria Loeppky
Half-brother of Peter P Froese and Gerhard P Froese, owners of a large flour mill
Dorfschule in Andreasfeld, Fortbildungsschule in neighbouring village
Baptized 1 May 1894
Loner, worked on his father’s farm, read a lot
Well versed in literature and history of Russia and Europe, enjoyed singing
Married Katharina Dueck 20 October 1902
First year lived on parent’s farm in Andreasfeld, then a year on mother-in-law’s farm in
Kronberg
Own wirtschaft in Kronberg; first 4 children bom there
1907 to Vassilyevka near Barvenkovo; acquired 3 wirtschaften; son Peter bom there
Wife Katharina managed household, cooked for the family and 8 Russian workers, tended the
garden and orchard, she developed tuberculosis
1910 moved into Barvenkovo to go into business
With Johann Klassen and Bernhard Dueck started factory Lutch which produced
agricultural and industrial machinery
The three owners had their homes at the back of the factory property
The factory, except for the foundry, went up in flames in 1912 and was rebuilt
2 more children bom in Barvenkovo, Johann and Katharina
1914 the factory built wagons and soup kitchens for the Sanitaeter
Sold factory to 3 wealthy Russians before the Revolution broke out
With the onset of the Revolution the owners vanished, forfeiting their down payment; reverted
back to the original owners
Revolutionary authorities went through the motions of purchasing the factory
Johann’s share of the first payment was just enough to buy his wife a pair of shoes
Johann was needed for the factory to function, so he was permitted to stay as an employee
on a small wage
Spring 1918 abandoned their house for 4 nights and hid in basements
Went to Yalta for medical treatment of his ailing wife - Johann, Katharina, and children
Helena and Peter. Katharina’s health improved
Back to Barvenkovo in Nov 1918, retrieved some of their belongings from the house, and
moved in with Katharina’s sister, the recently widowed Sarah (nee Dueck) Froese in
Vassilyevka
15
Katharina died March 1919, Johann married Sara Froese November 1919.
Together they had 6 live children; 5 more were bom into this marriage
July 1926 the family immigrated to Canada; there was some illness in the family, so some
members were delayed, but by August all were in Manitou, Manitoba
Active in church work. Johann farmed until his death from cancer in 1949
Sara developed Parkinson’s Disease; she eventually died in Winnipeg 19 Octoberl959
Johann had 12 children:
Helena - bom 26 Aug 1903 in Kronberg, died 18 May 1995 in Winnipeg
5 years elementary school in Barvenkovo
3 years Kommerzschule ; was taught German and Religion by A H Unruh
To Yalta and Vassilyevka with family
1926 immigrated to Manitou, Manitoba with family
1930 married Gerhard Johann Klassen; they had been school mates in
Barvenkovo
Their fathers had been partner owners of the Lutch factory
Lived in North Kildonan and Petersfield, participated in church work
Gerhard died 28 December 1965, Helena 18 May 1995
Katharina - bom 5 April 1905 in Kronberg, died 19 October 1905 in Kronberg
Maria - bom 5 April 1905 in Kronberg, died 13 October 1905 in Kronberg
Maria - bom 23 October 1906 in Kronberg, died 1 February 1910 probably in
Vassilyevka
Peter - bom 13 August 1908 in Vassilyevka
Moved to Barvenkovo with parents at age 2
3 years elementary school in Barvenkovo; his teacher was Gerhard Janzen
To Yalta in 1918, then to Vassilyevka
Mother died March 1919 when he was 11; there was a new mother and expanded
family a few months later, in November 1919
1926 immigrated to Canada with his family
Married Margaretha Konrad 18 June 1931, farmed in Manitou
1938 moved to Newton, Manitoba
1973 retired from farming and moved to Winnipeg
Always very active in church work, both Peter and Margaretha alive 2006
Johann - bom 31 May 1913 in Barvenkovo, died 12 March 1915 in Barvenkovo
Katharina - born 11 July 1915 in Barvenkovo, died 18 October 1916 in Barvenkovo
Children of second wife Sara Froese from her first marriage (none lived in Barvenkovo)
Helene, Heinrich, Johann, Abram
Children of the marriage of Johann and Sara (none of these lived in Barvenkovo)
Bernhard, George, Sara, Franz, Komelius
Johann Peter Froese died 27 June 1949 in Manitou, Manitoba
Froese, Kornelius Peter
Bom 22 March 1885 in Andreasfeld
Parents Peter Komelius Froese, and his second wife Maria Loeppky, fourth child of this
marriage
16
When his parents died in 1901 he completed the one year left of Zentralschule in Chortitza,
then was employed in a farm machinery factory in Schoenwiese
Spring of 1907 he went to Forstei at Razin, here he became a Christian, was baptized and
joined the MB Church
This alienated his fiancee, who broke off the relationship
After Forsteidienst he studied bookkeeping and was employed as a bookkeeper at the flour mill
of his brothers Peter and Gerhard in Barvenkovo
He was a good worker, faithful, industrious and mild mannered
He accompanied the Peter Froese family when they fled to the Kuban because of the
Revolution
He died of typhus in the Kuban in 1919
Froese, Peter Peter
Bom 12 November 1850 in Andreasfeld
Eldest son of Peter Komelius Froese and Maria Bock
Childhood and earlier adult life in Andreasfeld
Married Agatha Pauls
Peter Peter Froese lived at the end of Andreasfeld, across the road from an implement factory,
sold groceries to the workers
Built a granary and bought grain from passing farmers
In 1894 Peter, together with brother Gerhard and Aron Lepp (son of Elder Aron Lepp), built a
steam-powered flour mill in Barvenkovo, his capital was tied up in the mill, so the
granary business did not do so well
Built new larger mill in 1904, and actually moved to Barvenkovo that year
Peter owned the first automobile in the area
In unsettled times Peter, wife Agatha, brother Komelius and son Peter and his family fled to
the Kuban. Komelius, son Peter and 3 of his daughters died there of typhus
To Slavyansk, then to Petrovka
Immigrated to Canada, landing on 21 July 1927, settling first in Main Centre, Saskatchewan,
then Altona and in 1930 moved to Winkler, Manitoba
Wife Agatha died of cancer 24 August 1931
A few years before his death Peter joined the Mennonite Brethren Church, he died in Winkler
on 26 June 1943
Had 8 children, of whom only 2 reached adulthood:
Agatha - bom 17 April 1881 in Andreasfeld
Married Johann Epp in 1900
Lived in Andreasfeld, then moved to Petrovka near Barvenkovo
Fled in unsettled times, then returned
Via Moscow to Canada in 1930
Moved to Winnipeg as widow in 1940 , died 26 September 1968 in Winnipeg
Peter - bom 29 November 1884 in Andreasfeld
Married Katharina Paetkau 9 October 1905
Moved to Barvenkovo and worked at the flour mill of his father Peter and uncle
Gerhard
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2 sons and 4 daughters born in Barvenkovo
Peter - bom 20 September 1906, died 3 September 1907
Peter - bom 26 March 1908, died 16 April 1986
Katharina - bom 8 April 1910, died January 1920 - typhus
Agatha - born 12 November 1911, died 27 January 1920 - typhus
Helena (Lena) - bom 31 August 1913, died 25 January 1920 - typhus
Emma - bom 5 June 1915, died 2 February 1916
Heinrich - bom 7 March 1918 in Kamenskaya
Moved to Kamenskaya about 1915, where Peter again worked in a flour mill
Fled to the Kuban in unsettled times, likely 1919, with parents and own family
Peter and 3 daughters died of typhus in 1920 in the Kuban
Peter died 20 February 1920
In 1926 mother Katharina and sons Peter and Heinrich immigrated to Canada
Lived in Saskatchewan and Manitoba
Harms, Mr
Wife Mrs Harms
Daughter Elisabeth - bom in Barvenkovo 22 March 1914
Huebert, Jakob
Wife Mrs Huebert
Children
Jakob was conductor of the Barvenkovo Church choir
For a time the church services were held in his home
Jakob was son of M Huebert of Neukirch, Molotschna
Mentioned as living in Barvenkovo in January 1905
Janzen, Eva
Home was Vassilyevka
Took seamstress training course in Barvenkovo
Sang in the Barvenkovo Church choir
Later married John P Wall
Janzen,Gerhard
On the picture of the Barvenkovo youth group
Janzen, Jakob
On the picture of the Barvenkovo youth group
Janzen, Johann
Wife Mrs Janzen (nee Martens)
2 daughters, son
Came from teaching position in Herzenberg; after the war returned to Herzenberg
Teacher likely 1909-1917; leader of youth group together with A H Unruh
Quite possibly the people visited by the M Hueberts of Neukirch in 1904, the family, including
2 daughters and son, providing beautiful music accompanied by the harp and guitar
Kirkhan, Katharina
Children:
Heinrich
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Rudolph
Immigrated to Canada, landing in Quebec 1 May 1927, settling in Davidson, Saskatchewan
Klassen, Abram J
Bom 3 December 1884 in Ohrloff, Molotschna
1893 parents moved to Spat, Crimea
He was a teacher at village of Ebenfeld
Served in the Alt-Berdyansk Forstei
October 1910 married Agnes Goerz
Spent 1 year in Barvenkovo in a Froese mill to learn the business
After that opened own business in Spat
With onset of World War I drafted as Sanitaeter, served first in Simferopol, then in
Sanitorium in Szaki, a Kurort in Crimea
After conclusion of the war was elected as minister in Spat, and was appointed as a member
of the Kommission fuer Kirchenange/egenheiten (KfK)
Arrested, imprisoned in Simferopol, sentenced to 10 years in exile in 1930
Died in exile 5 July 1931
Klassen, Cornelius Abraham
Bom 6 May 1883 in Kleefeld, Molotschna
Parents Abraham Johann Klassen and Cornelia Toews
Completed Pedagogical Course at the Halbstadt Teachers Institute
Taught 3 years at Tokultschak (Johannesruh) in the Crimea
Tutored, probably some adults, and taught school in Barvenkovo 1907-1909
Likely taught in the private Mennonite elementary school
Salary 700 rubles per month
In 1909 he taught in the nearby village of Vassilyevka
On 10 May 1910 married Margaretha (Grete) Funk in Friedensfeld, presiding minister being
Abram H Unruh of Barvenkovo
The following year Cornelius continued to teach in Vassilyevka, then in Kantemirovka
Moved to Siberia in 1917 to farm, Cornelius died 27 July 1919 of typhus
Klassen, Gerhard Johann
Immigrated to Canada, landing in St John 24 March 1927
Klassen, Johann Johann
Bom 4 February 1869 in Petershagen, Molotschna
Widowed father with 9 children moved to Schostak in 1889
Johann married Aganetha Derksen 9 November 1893; they lived in Schostak
Moved to Malvinovka (Petershof) in 1901
Then moved to Vassilovka (Vassilyevka?) in 1904; experienced spiritual revival here
Sons showed interest in machinery, moved to Barvenkovo in a covered wagon, in 1910, and
with 2 partners, Johann Froese and Bernhard Dueck, established a factory to produce
agricultural and industrial machinery, called Lutch Factory
1914 started building wagons and equipment for the medical corps
Wife Aganetha died in a typhoid epidemic of 1920
Johann married Aganetha’s sister, Katharina, in 1921
19
Johann was leader of the MB Church in 1925
Immigrated to Canada 1 October 1925
Church life was very important to Johann, the North Kildonan Mennonite Brethren Church
was soon started in the Klassen home
Johann died 3 June 1941 in Winnipeg
Children:
Simon - bom 19 May 1885, died 12 November 1895
Johann - bom 19 May 1895, died 24 February 1920 of typhus
Abram - bom 9 March 1897
Completed Kommerzschule , then studied engineering at the University at
St Petersburg
Married Sofia (Sonja) Luchia, a Russian nurse
Worked in the Mennonite office in Moscow
Died 20 December 1925 of complications of appendicitis in Moscow
Agatha - born 23 August 1898
Went to Kommerzschule
Never married, died 31 July 1975
Aganetha - bom 10 December 1899
Worked at Bethania Heilanstalt
To Canada 1927
Married Jakob Reimer at age 39, died 4 August 1982
Jakob - bom 20 September 1901
Did not go to Kommerzschule , but went to work in the factory
Keen interest and skill working with machines, especially the lathe
As son of the former owner he was dismissed from the factory when the
government took over
Jakob and brother Gerhard then started their own machine shop repairing cream
separators
Married Maria Langemann
Established machine shop in Winnipeg, died 13 January 1995
Gerhard - bom 25 May 1903
Married Helena Froese, daughter of factory owner Johann Froese
Went to Kommerzschule , interested in youth work, was musical.
When Jakob was dismissed from the Lutch factory, Jakob and Gerhard
established their own machine shop repairing cream separators
To Canada in 1926, died 28 December 1965
Maria - bom 18 September 1904
Early became a mission-minded Christian
Married Jakob Wiens
In time they started a chicken farm in Winnipeg, died 29 December 1980
Cornelius - bom 6 May 1906
Life-long interest in music, choral and instrumental, an interest passed on to his
children
20
Married Maria Janzen, died 2 December 1991
Dietrich - bom 29 July 1907
Schooling interrupted by war and revolution
Married Gertruda Langemann, died 8 April 1988
Katharina - bom 7 May 1909
Married John Spenst, died 6 April 1997
Anna - bom 23 March 1911 in Barvenkovo
Married Victor Wilms, died 27 December 2004
Erna - bom 2 July 1914 in Barvenkovo
Nurse, MCC volunteer 1947-1949
Never married, died 16 February 2003
Only 2 children were bom in Barvenkovo, but the whole family lived there for a time
Klassen, Johann G
Owner of a small steam-powered flour mill
Koop brothers
For the school year 1910-11 three Koop brothers attended at Barvenkovo
Parents were Heinrich H Koop and Susanna Giesbrecht, from the Don River region
Heinrich - bom 13 April 1897 went to Kommerzschu/e
Johann (Hans) - bom 20 Feb 1901 went to Dorfschule , but dropped out after Christmas
Peter - bom 19 Dec 1902 went to Dorfschule, he eventually died in Winnipeg in 1990
Lepp, Aron Aron
Bom 5 September 1861 in Einlage
Parents: Aron Peter Lepp, Elder of the Einlage MB Church, and Katharina J Siemens
Aron was the ninth of 15 children, and preceded by 3 Arons, who died as infants
Aron married Katharina J Froese, probably about 1884
Lived in Andreasfeld, where the first child Anna was bom in 1885
Moved to Nikolayevka in 1888
In 1893 (94?) Aron entered a partnership with Peter and Gerhard Froese, who were building
a flour mill in Barvenkovo, so the family moved to that city
Participated in the formation and function of the Barvenkovo MB Church. He was elected and
ordained as a deacon
In the spring of 1909 Aron sold his share of the flour mill to his partners and moved to Omsk,
Siberia, where he built his own flour mill
The mill did not do well, so he sold it in 1912, and built a farm implement factory. In both of
these enterprises his son-in-law, Franz Peter Froese was employed as bookkeeper
In 1913 Aron bought farm land, 301 dessiatines, about 12 miles south of Omsk
He gave this land to his two daughters, Anna Froese and Katharina Janzen, as inheritance (this
despite the fact that the land was not entirely debt-free)
The daughters moved onto the land in the spring of 1914; they called the estate Ekatherinovka
Both husbands were drafted into the Forstei 1914-1917, so the wives had to manage the farms
in their absence
Wife Katharina died in 1911
Daughter Anna with husband Franz immigrated to Canada in 1924
21
One daughter moved to California; possibly following her, Aron must have also migrated
to California, where he died 3 October 1935
Children:
Anna - bom 1885 in Andreasfeld , died 19 May 1947 in Winnipeg
Married Franz Peter Froese
Katharina - died in Podolsk
Helena - died in Paraguay
Unnamed -
Katharina - bom in Omsk in 1910, died 1961 in Los Angeles
Married Gerhard Wiens
Lepp,Jakob
Likely the son of Aron Peter Lepp, and brother of Aron Aron Lepp
In 1903 he operated a “water cure” institution, probably something like a spa
He had taken some training in Dresden
Now could cure almost anything, according to a letter to the Mennonitische Rundschau
Needed to have the facilities enlarged
Loewen, Maria
On the picture of the Barvenkovo youth group
Martens, Kornelius
Family had a share in an implement factory
Went to Kommerzschule in Barvenkovo
Then to University in Moscow for 5-6 years
Nickel, Helena Gerhard
Refugee arrived in Quebec, Canada 1 August 1925 on the Empress of Scotland
Went to Amaud, Manitoba
Nickel, Jakob
Appointed a bookkeeper at the large Froese flour mill
Was also a minister, and served the church
Later moved to Millerovo, where he owned a mill
Penner, Jakob
Owner of a Schlichtmuehle.
Had a daughter Maria who married Jakob Peter Froese
The son-in-law became a co-owner of the business
Peters, Anna
Daughter Helena
Immigrated to Canada, landing in Quebec 1 May 1927, settled in Davidson, Saskatchewan
Peters, Peter
Minister in the MB Church, some time 1903-1918
Redekop, Jakob Franz
Bom 23 July 1895 in Petrovka, near Barvenkovo
Dorfschule in Petrovka, Kommerzschule in Barvenkovo 1909, 1910
Boarded in the home of his teacher, A H Unruh
Baptized and joined MB Church in 1913
22
Immigrated to Canada with his parents in 1913
Reimer, Gerhard
Bom 4 May 1885
Son of Johann Reimer of Wiesenfeld
Married Katharina Gerhard Froese of Barvenkovo 16 June 1912
Studied commerce at the University in Kiev, then at Saratov
Back to Barvenkovo in 1916, then had to serve in the Sanitaetsdienst in Moscow
Fled Barvenkovo with Gerhard Froese family in 1918, to Tchongrav, Crimea
Here he taught Bible School, German, logic, psychology, and directed the choir
First child Gerhard bom 1919. Katharina died 1921, secondary to haemorrhage
Gerhard married Margaretha Enns in 1924, and they had 2 more children
Schellenberg, Anna and Johann
Picture of the Barvenkovo youth group shows 2 Schellenbergs
Schellenberg, Johann
Minister in the MB Church, some time 1903-1918
Schmidt, Klaas B
Wife Mrs Schmidt
Children
Klaas Schmidt died of heart failure ( wassersucht ) on 3 June 1911 at the age of 55 years
Funeral, with widespread participation, was held in the church on Sunday afternoon on 5 June
Minister Abraham H Unruh used Isaiah 38:1 as text “Set thine house in order: for thou shalt
die, and not live.”
Siemens, Gerhard
Likely the leading minister when the MB Church was established
Siemens, Johann Jakob
Bom about 1910, refugee in Moelln, Germany, in January 1930
Thiessen, Gerhard
Bom 13 October 1878 in Chortitza
Aganetha (?) (wife) from Waldheim, Molotschna
Moved to Barvenkovo some time before 1909
Children bom in Barvenkovo
Helena - bom 9 March 1909
Peter - bom 16 October 1912
Malvina - bom 28 September 1913
Adina - bom 10 October 1916
Hanna - bom 15 May 1918
Elisabeth - bom 8 April 1921
Thiessen, Mr
Engineer at the Lutch factory, drove the first prototype tractor in 1915, turning sod with its
plough
Unger, Mr
Wife Mrs Unger
Funeral of a 12-year-old son of the family was held 25 May 1904
23
Unruh, Abraham Heinrich
(see separate biography)
Bom in Crimea, village of Temir- Bulat, 5 April 1878
Parents Heinrich Benjamin Unruh and Elisabeth Wall, minister father died when he was 5
Brought up by his uncle, Komelius Unruh, teacher in Ohrloff Zentralschule
Completed Ohrloff Zentralschule , and the 2 year teacher training course in Halbstadt
Received teacher certificate at age 17
Began teaching career in Dorfschule in Crimean village of Menlertschick 1895-1903
1900 married Katharina Toews of Spat, Crimea
Mother Elisabeth Unruh stayed with them until 1920, she helped in the household
Taught in the Barvenkovo elementary school and Kommerzschule 1903-1915
Ordained to the ministery in the MB Church in 23 May 1904 at the Vassilyevka church, Elder
David Schellenberg presiding
1915-1917 served in Sanitaetsdienst , then back to teaching in Barvenkovo
Anti-German sentiment quite strong in Barvenkovo
Was asked to be principal of Mennonite Zentralschule in Karassan in 1918
1920 joined the faculty of the newly-established Bible School in Tschongrav
Bible School shut down by the government in 1924
Immigrated to Canada in 1925
Started Winkler Bible School that autumn, and continued to teach there for 19 years
Mennonite Brethren Bible College opened in 1944 with Unruh as president. He
relinquished that post in 1 year, but continued teaching another 10 years
Well-known Bible teacher and speaker across Canada. Wrote extensively, including a
history of the Mennonite Brethren Church
Increasing difficulty with diabetes and the complicating loss of vision
Moved to BC in 1959
Preached his last sermon in Chilliwack, BC on 26 December 1960
Died quietly 15 January 1961 of bronchopneumonia
Wife Katharina died 7 March 1963
Children:
Elisabeth - bom 4 October 1901 in Menlertschik, died 20 July 1903 in Barvenkovo
Abraham - bom 20 October 1903 in Barvenkovo, died 7 September 1980 in Winnipeg
Kornelius - bom 14 October 1905 in Barvenkovo, died 1909 in Barvenkovo
Johann - bom 20 June 1908 in Barvenkovo, died 2004 in Canada
Katharina - bom 20 June 1910 in Barvenkovo, died 23 May 1993 in St Catharines,
Ontario
Victor - bom 27 September 1914 in Barvenkovo, died 18 July 1944 over France,
navigator of an aircraft
Heinrich - bom 8 February 1917 in Barvenkovo, died 30 June 1988 in Kamloops, BC
Lydia - bom 10 February 1920 in Karassan, Crimea, died 23 December 1983 in
Chilliwack, BC
Unruh, David Heinrich
Owner of a machine factory
24
Unruh, Helena (Lena)
On picture of youth group of Barvenkovo
Unruh, Kornelius Heinrich
Wife Martha
Missionary to India. Brother of Abraham Unruh
Stayed in Barvenkovo for some time between mission assignments
On 18 July 1904 preached in the Barvenkovo church with the theme “We are afraid, but not
in despair.”
Departed via train on 20 July 1904, heading for Hamburg, Germany, then on to India by ship
Warkentin, Dietrich Johann
Bom about 1885
Wife Maria - bom about 1893
Children:
Katharina - bom about 1921
Elisabeth - bom about 1922
Margaretha - bom about 1923
Immigrated to Canada in 1924, settling in Altona, Manitoba
Weier
Three brothers Weier, Johann, Jakob and Dietrich in a letter ask for funding of 2,000R to
obtain passes, presumably to leave the USSR. Published in Mennonitische Rundschau
20 March 1929
Willms, Johann
Teacher
Was able to give “lectures” at the MB Church, to help out when ministers were not available
25
The Bernhard Dueck Family
Back row - first left Johann P Froese, second right Bernhard
Bernhard Dueck, factory owner
Second row - first left Sarah Dueck, later Mrs Johann A Froese,
then Mrs Johann P Froese
second left Katharina (nee Dueck) Froese (Mrs Johann P Froese
fourth left Helene (Mrs Bernhard) Dueck, mother of Sarah
and Katharina, guardian of Aron P Froese
Reclining - Aron P Froese
Froese brothers:
back row: 1 to r: David, Bernhard, Aron
front row: 1 to r: Komelius, Jakob
26
Gerhard Peter Froese and wife Anna (nee Penner)
Peter Peter Froese and wife Agatha (nee Pauls)
27
Johann Peter Froese
Agatha, Helena (Lena) and Katharina Froese,
daughters of Peter Peter Froese, son of the mill
owner Peter Froese. All died of typhus in the
Kuban in 1920
28
Johann J Klassen family (1916)
front row 1 to r: Katharina Derksen (became stepmother)
Katharina, Aganetha, Ema, Johann, Anna, Agatha Derksen (grandmother), Cornelius
back row 1 to r: Dietrich, Maria, Gerhard, Agatha, Abram, Johann, Aganetha, Jakob
29
Klassen brothers
Jakob, Gerhard, Cornelius
and Dietrich
Klassen sisters
Aganetha, Ema, Maria
Anna, Agatha
and Katharina
30
MENNONITE INSTITUTIONS
Elementary School ( Dorfschule)
Founded in 1903
Abraham Heinrich Unruh was appointed the first teacher in 1903; likely stopped teaching in
this school when he started teaching at the Kommerzschule in 1909
Building had not yet been constructed when Unruhs arrived
For a time Unruh conducted the school in their own living quarters, but this became too
stressful for the family
A mill owner and deacon of the MB Church, Gerhard Peter Froese, put rooms at the disposal of
the school, likely in his mill
A building was constructed, on land purchased adjacent to the large Froese flour mill, to serve
both the school and the MB Church, in 1906. School was at one end of the building,
church at the other, with a movable wall in between. Construction included quarters for
the teacher, three rooms and a kitchen. A student knows that the school playground was
close to the mill; they were playing a game similar to baseball called “pollack” and lost a
ball on top of the four-story mill. They did not get the ball back!
Cornelius Abraham Klassen was likely a teacher 1907-1909; he also did some tutoring,
likely of adults. He was single at the time. Pay was 700 rubles per month
Johann Martin Janzen was a teacher, likely 1909-1917; he also worked with the church youth
Gerhard Janzen was teacher, at least from 1915-18
In 1910-11 there were 40 students, 21 girls, 19 boys
There were likely 2 teachers, one male, one female
In 1913 there were 44 students
The school probably shut down when many of the leading Mennonites fled from Barvenkovo
Kommerzschule
Founded in 1909
“Operated by the Russians in co-operation with the Mennonites”
Abraham Heinrich Unruh appointed instructor in German and Religion. He taught religion
to the approximately 40 Mennonite students at the school
Unruh had obtained the required certificate to be the German language instructor, taking
private tutoring from his well-educated brother, Benjamin
Teachers were men of considerable learning; Unruh found the academic atmosphere
stimulating; the standards were high, but not run on Christian principles, especially the
social life of the students
Unruh worked to establish the possibility of freedom of conscience for the students who had a
Christian heritage
Head of the school was a well-recognized educator. Professor Bamoff
He insisted on meticulous records of lessons taught and assignments given
Every 2 weeks faculty met to discuss pedagogical questions
Abram Klassen, son of Johann Johann Klassen, was teacher for some time after 1918
Peter Epp was added to the faculty at the request of A H Unruh for more advanced studies in
31
German
Abram Froese from outside Barvenkovo was a student 1918-19
Mennonite contribution to the Kommerzschule will have stopped soon after the Revolution, but
the school likely continued to function
Mennonite Brethren Church
The Naumenko Colony was founded in 1890, largely by Mennonite Brethren from the
Chortitza and Molotschna colonies. A considerable number came from Andreasfeld,
which was affiliated with the Einlage MB Church
In time a number of people, largely industrialists, settled in the neighbouring city of
Barvenkovo to start various business enterprises
First fellowship in Barvenkovo likely started soon after Froese brothers, Peter and Gerhard,
established their flourmill in Barvenkovo in 1894
Mennonite Brethren in Barvenkovo at first seem to have travelled to Vassilyevka (10 verst
distance) or Petrovka (15 verst), but then started meeting in Barvenkovo itself
First meetings were in rooms provided by Gerhard Froese in their flour mill
Gerhard Siemens was likely the initial leading minister; Gerhard Froese and Aron Lepp were
deacons
In 1903 “leading brethren” of the Barvenkovo congregation approached Abraham H Unruh to
establish an elementary school at Barvenkovo. He came that same year, beginning
classes in his own home. When that was not satisfactory, rooms were provided by the
Froese brothers, likely in their flour mill
It is likely the Barvenkovo congregation which elected Abraham H Unruh as minister; he was
ordained 23 May 1904 in the Vassilyevka MB Church by Elder David Schellenberg.
Unruh served the Barvenkovo congregation in many capacities; he certainly often
preached; in time he was the leading minister
A piece of land was purchased adjacent to the Froese mill in 1906 for the construction of
a church/school. This also included living quarters for the teacher, three rooms and a
kitchen. It is quite possible that the Unruhs lived here for a time. J Dick, engineer
at the Froese flour mill, played a part in this construction, in particular designing a
movable wall between the church sanctuary and the school portion
The various industrialists recruited personnel for their businesses which could also be active
in the church. Minister Jakob Froese for example, was employed by the Lutch factory.
Jakob Nickel, also a minister, was appointed bookkeeper for the Froese mill. He then
later moved to Millerovo
The preaching ministry at Barvenkovo was always a concern; serving at various time were:
Gerhard Siemens, likely the leading minister for a time, Peter Peters
Abraham H Unruh, teacher at the elementary school, after 1909 in the Kommerzschule
Jakob Nickel, bookkeeper at the Froese mill, moved to Millerovo
Johann Willms, teacher, was able to give “lectures;” moved to Millerovo
Jakob Froese, employed by the Lutch factory, Johann Schellenberg
David Derksen, had a business dealing with musical instruments
Visiting ministers such as Baptist minister Lehmann and J Schinke, and itinerant
32
Mennonite Brethren ministers
Various church programs were:
Two worship services every Sunday
Youth group - Abraham H Unruh was one of the leaders. At one time the group had 26
members; teacher Johann Martin Janzen also helped in this work 1909-1917
Choir - Jakob Huebert was the conductor. The choir even travelled to neighbouring
churches to participate in song festivals
Sunday School
Ladies’ Group
Bible Study
A difficult problem was the question of allowing people not baptized by immersion to
participate in communion. The local congregation favoured it, but the more conservative
Naumenko parent church did not
As a whole the church grew steadily, including the time during World War I, when business
flourished
Elder Hermann A Neufeld visited Millerovo, Barvenkovo, Borissovo and Memrik on his
round of itinerant ministries in 1915, also visited the entire Naumenko Colony, including
Barvenkovo in December 1917
With the Revolution and the onset of the civil war, however, many of the leading members
fled or moved away. The atmosphere in the city was definitely anti-German. Gerhard
Froese, for example bought a small farm in the Crimea, Peter Froese fled to the Kuban,
Abraham H Unruh accepted a teaching position in Karassan, Crimea
With the departure of the leaders, there still remained some members of the church, so
services carried on for some time, often with considerable blessing
In 1926 it was reported that despite loss of membership through immigration to Canada there
were still church services with preaching, Bible studies and prayer meetings.
Surrounding Russians were being actively evangelized
Also in 1926 it was reported that a Russian minister Volkov from Tscherbinovka preached at
the church a number of times. Early April he had meetings for five days. After the
second day a revival broke out, and 25 people were saved, among them both Mennonites
and Russians
9 May 1926 a special youth festival was held. The weather was excellent and the large room
could not hold all the attendees; some had to stand outside. There were songs by the local
choir, reinforced by people from beyond Barvenkovo; poems were recited. A drama
“Judging the Bible” culminated in a powerful defense of the Bible by Minister Volkov.
Everyone present became convinced that the Bible really was God’s word, and the only
book through which one could clearly discern God’s will. The Bible tells us who we are,
and how we can be rescued from our depraved state, in order to win salvation. It was
hoped that the seed which was planted that day would bear fruit.
The church was likely disbanded about 1930
Mennonite Cemetery
By 1904 the Mennonites had purchased a small cemetery. In 1904 there were 15 graves
33
Schools in Barvenkovo
Elementary School 1910-1911
Barvenkovo Kommerzschule in 1911
Kommerzschule faculty in 1912, Abraham Unruh
back row, fourth from the right
34
MENNONITE BUSINESSES
Derksen, David
Owned a business dealing with musical instruments
Epp, Heinrich
Owned a smaller steam-powered flour mill
The business was valued at 40,000 rubles according to the 1908 Forstei taxation list
Froese Flour Mill
Owned by: Peter Peter Froese
Gerhard Peter Froese (brothers)
Aron Lepp (son of Elder Aron Lepp) - probably an acquaintance from
Andreasfeld days. He left the partnership in 1909 and moved to the Omsk region
Started in 1894, located in the northern part of Barvenkovo
A much larger 4-story steam-powered flour mill was built in 1904, costing 140,000 rubles
Length of building, including granaries, 22 !4 fathoms (1571/2 feet)
Building of masonry construction; highly decorative brick-work; large windows; roof
covered over by metal
After 1904 likely functioned as one business with 2 mills on the property (the old, smaller
mill, and the new larger mill)
Building no longer exists, probably destroyed during World War II
Froese, Jakob
Machine business, for a time employed Jakob Peter Froese
Klassen, Johann G
Owned a smaller steam-powered flour mill
Klassen Machine Shop (Jakob and Gerhard)
After Jakob Klassen was dismissed from Lutch Factory when the government took over,
Jakob and Gerhard Klassen established their own machine shop repairing cream
separators.
Needed parts for separators were not available, and had to be specially milled
At one time worked with 18 different kinds of separators
Klassen Millet Shelling Mill
When Johann Johann Klassen was no longer involved with the Lutch factory he bought a
large building across the street, rebuilt one end as living quarters, the other end as a
millet shelling mill
Lepp,Jakob
By 1903 had trained in Dresden, now was operating a “water cure” establishment, likely
something like a spa
Writer of a letter to the Mennonitische Rundschau claimed Lepp could cure almost anything.
Facilities crowded, so a larger building was needed
Lutch - Agricultural and Industrial Machine Factory
Owned by: Johann Johann Klassen, Johann Peter Froese and Bernhard Bernhard Dueck
Established in 1910 to produce agricultural and industrial machinery
35
Lutch is Russian word for ray, as in a ray of sunshine
Three former farmers wanted to capitalize on the growing market for farm machinery and mill
equipment
Selected Barvenkovo as the site for their factory: many flour mills, low-cost Ukrainian labour,
surrounded by fertile farmland
Bought 2.5 dessiatines adjacent to the railway station. Two large buildings, the manufacturing
plant and the foundry
The manufacturing plant housed 2 departments:
Agricultural Department - the larger of the 2 sections
Produced reapers (over 100 built), binders, threshing machines, ploughs (over 100
built) and developed 2 prototype tractors by 1915. Mr Thiessen, engineer, drove
the first tractor out and started to break up sod with its plough
Industrial Department - produced cast iron piping, boilers, fly-wheels (up to 2.5 m in
diameter)
Foundry
Furnace to melt the metal for casting
Used sand and ground casting methods
Techniques limited to cast iron
Engine house with a motor supplied power to all departments through pulleys
Had a 140 foot smokestack
Houses of the three factory owners were on the back of the property
The Dueck house probably the best; he knew the most about building houses
Beside them was the watchman’s cottage (his name was Sultan)
Also on the yard was a bam, an office and an open space to park machines
The whole yard was enclosed in a high board fence
Grew quickly; skilled labour done mostly by Mennonites or German tradesmen
Assembly and labour done by local Ukrainians
Employed up to 120 workers
In 1912 or 1913 had a fire, starting in the paint shop, destroyed much of the factory except the
foundry
The factory was rebuilt
After 1912 economic conditions deteriorated, factory went heavily into debt
In 1914 started building wagons and equipment for the medical corps
In 1915 dropped the name Lutch, according to a government requirement which supposedly
did not allow trade names
1916 sold to local Russians from Kharkov. When the Revolution started the new owners
disappeared, so the ownership reverted back to Klassen, Froese and Dueck
After WWI taken over by the communist government. They made a show of actually
purchasing it. Final payment to Johann Froese was enough to purchase a new pair of
shoes for his wife
Johann Froese was offered temporary employment, since they needed him to help run the
company
By 1926 back in production
36
Renamed Krasny Lutch (Red Ray)
Became main industry in Barvenkovo; perhaps shut down in 1995, but in 2000 and 2003 was
still operating, although on a very limited scale
Penner Flour Mill
Jakob Penner owned a Schlichtmuehle (planer mill) which only did rough grinding of grain
Had a daughter Maria, who married Jakob Peter Froese
Jakob Peter Froese became co-owner of the business
Unruh, David Heinrich
Owned a machine shop
37
Two steam-powered flour mills belonging to Peter and Gerhard Froese
Machine shop of David Heinrich Unruh
38
39
40
Threshing Machine built by the Lutch factory
41
One of two prototype tractors built by the Lutch factory in 1915
MENNOMTE ESTATES
IN THE BARVENKOVO REGION
Doerksen, Julius Peter
Estate Maryevka (Doerksen)
100 dessiatines
Doerksen contributed 80 rabies to needy mobilized Mennonites in 1917
Friesen, Peter Gerhard
Estate Nadeschdovka
50 dessiatines
Janzen, Heinrich Heinrich
Address: Barvenkovo, Kharkov
100 dessiatines
Klassen, Johann Jakob
Estate Saparovka
450 dessiatines
Nickel, Gerhard Heinrich
Estate Maryevka (Nickel G)
225 dessiatines
Nickel, Peter Heinrich
Estate Maryevka (Nickel P)
225 dessiatines
It is quite probable that there was initially an Estate Maryevka of 450 dessiatines owned by a
Heinrich Nickel, which was then divided equally between 2 sons, Gerhard and Peter
42
ABRAHAM HEINRICH UNRUH
(1878-1961)
Abraham Heinrich Unruh was bom 5 April 1878
in the Mennonite village of Temir-Bulat, north-eastern
Crimea. His parents were Heinrich Benjamin Unruh and
Elisabeth Wall. Abraham was the seventh of ten
children. Two older brothers, Heinrich and Komelius,
became missionaries in India; Gerhard became a minister
of the Mennonite Brethren Church in Canada. Younger
brother Benjamin was a prominent educator and
Mennonite statesman.
Father Heinrich was minister of the local
Mennonite congregation, then was chosen elder. The
family did not do well financially, partly because of the
poor soil in the region, but also because Elder Unruh
spent much time serving his widespread congregation. In
1883 Heinrich died of a serious attack of bronchitis,
leaving wife Elisabeth with a large family to manage, but
having few financial resources. Abraham was then 5
years old.
Foster homes were found for some of the
children, and so Abraham had to leave his own home in the Crimea to live with his uncle in the
Molotschna. Uncle Komelius accepted his nephew gladly and often helped him, although his wife
often made life miserable for little Abraham. Komelius Unruh was probably the best-educated man
in the Molotschna and helped Abraham academically; he was also a man of high moral principles
and integrity. He was principal of the Ohrloff Zentralschule for 32 years.
Abraham went to Dorfschule in the neighbouring Tiege, where Isaak Ediger was the
headmaster. Ediger was an exacting schoolmaster, but also a thoroughly dedicated Christian. Noting
that Abraham was a precocious lad, he gave him extra help, so that he completed his elementary
education in 5 years. Abraham then entered Zentralschule at Ohrloff, where his Uncle Komelius
was principal and one of the instructors. Other outstanding teachers were Johann Braeul and Johann
Janzen. Abraham, through these excellent educators, received a solid foundation in the basic
academic disciplines of the day. He completed his course of studies in three years. At the age of 15
years Abraham enrolled at the Halbstadt Teachers College. He now lived in a dormitory with no
parental guidance and no effective authority for his personal life. Since Abraham was still not firmly
grounded in his life of faith, he found this somewhat unsettling.
While the faculty at the Teachers College did not seem to be concerned about the spiritual
life of the students, they did teach Abraham self-discipline and effective methods of controlling
students. Various theories of education were evaluated; verbal communication was tested and tried.
The rhetoric he learned, combined with his native ability, later helped him not only in the classroom,
but on the pulpit.
After graduation in 1894 Abraham sat for his Russian state exams, which would give him
43
the certificate required for teaching. He failed the exam in Berdyansk and also in Melitopol, but had
better luck in Pavlograd.
On 18 September 1895 Abraham Heinrich Unruh stepped to the front of his first classroom
in the little Crimean Mennonite village of Menlertschik. It was situated about 5 verst from the larger
Mennonite village of Spat. Despite his young 17 years he was able to win the confidence and respect
of the villagers.
After spending 12 years in the Komelius Unruh home, Abraham was on his own. His
mother, perhaps feeling guilty that she had given him away at the tender age of five, offered to take
care of his household. Nothing could have pleased him more.
Abraham had high moral principles, but did not yet have assurance that God had accepted
him as a child. The itinerant Mennonite Brethren minister, Jakob Reimer, had previously influenced
him in this regard. Finally after evangelistic services held by Jakob J Martens, director of the
Armenschule in Ufa, Abraham was able to publically call on the name of the Lord. Some time later
he fully grasped that he could do nothing, but was entirely dependent on Jesus’ blood for
righteousness. He applied for membership in the Mennonite Brethren Church, but did not wait until
the official meeting to give his testimony. His pupils were the first to hear. He started arranging
youth meetings and organized a church choir, although he did not consider himself to have particular
musical talent. After outlining his spiritual growth to the Spat Mennonite Brethren Church, he was
baptized by immersion in the Salgir River.
The Menlertschik villagers, regardless of their particular Mennonite persuasion, were
delighted that Abraham assumed the role of spiritual leader among the youth. In later years he
attributed much of his spiritual growth to his praying mother. He also gained considerable insight
from his reading, largely German writings in the Pietistic tradition. He read books by Samuel Keller,
P Smith and R A Torrey, as well as sermons by Spurgeon. The Christian life to Abraham meant
faithfulness to his daily work, good relationships with other people, integrity as well as confessing
his faith to other people.
Abraham constantly refined his teaching methods and improved his competence the eight
years he taught in Menlertschik. He took some courses at Simferopol and Perekop, perfecting his
knowledge of Russian and mathematics; he even tried to develop his musical skills. Though
exercising the usual discipline, he tended to befriend his students more than most teachers did; as
a result he could be proud of his well-behaved and industrious students. He also enjoyed the
monthly teachers’ conventions.
In time Abraham noticed a young lady who, with her parents, attended the Spat Mennonite
Brethren Church. The fact that she often sang solo parts for the choir may have made it easier to
notice Katharina Toews, daughter of a well-to-do family. Soon Abraham had the conviction that
Katharina should be his bride, and she agreed. They were married in 1900, Abraham being 22 years
old at the time. Elder David Duerksen of Spat officiated at the wedding, his text being “This is the
day that the Lord has made,’’(Psalm 118:24). Katharina contributed much to the management of the
household, particularly in the more practical details. For a time she was ill, suffering from
tuberculosis, but happily she recovered. Mother Elisabeth Unruh stayed with the couple, but with
a reduced work load; she remained in the household until about 1920.
Abraham came to the attention of some of the leading men from Barvenkovo at a music
festival he attended. They asked him to become their new elementary school teacher. So it was that
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the Unruh family moved to Barvenkovo, near Kharkov, in 1903. The school building had not yet
been constructed when they arrived, so for a time Abraham conducted school in their own living
quarters. This made it difficult to run a household, until mill owner Gerhard Froese put rooms at the
disposal of the school. Since there were about 20 Mennonite families in Barvenkovo at the time,
there could well have been about 30 students; by 1913 there were 44 scholars. In 1906 a building
serving both school and church was completed; one end was the school, the other end the sanctuary.
The building was near the large Froese flour mill; one student remembers losing a ball on the roof
of the four-story mill. Accommodations for the teacher were included in this construction, so the
Unruh family may have lived there for some time.
Abraham had in the meantime received private tutoring in his teaching subjects from his
well-educated younger brother Benjamin. This enabled him to obtain his certificate as language
instructor.
In 1909 a seven-class Kommerzschule was opened in Barvenkovo, operated by Russians, in
cooperation with the Mennonites. Abraham was appointed teacher of German and Religion. He was
stimulated by interacting with fellow instructors who had high academic interests and expectations.
The Barvenkovo Kommerzschule was not run on Christian principles, but Abraham was able to
ensure that freedom of conscience was allowed for those students who had a Christian upbringing.
Abraham and Katharina had 8 children, 6 bom in Barvenkovo:
1. Elisabeth - bom 4 Oct 1901 in Menlertschik, died 20 July 1903 in Barvenkovo
2. Abraham - bom 20 Oct 1903 in Barvenkovo - missionary in India, died 7 Sept 1980 in
Winnipeg
3. Komelius - bom 14 Oct 1905 in Barvenkovo, died 1909 in Barvenkovo
4. Johann - bom 20 June 1908 in Barvenkovo, died 15 Jan 2002 in Toronto, Ontario
5. Katharina - bom 20 June 1910 in Barvenkovo, died 23 May 1993 in St Catharines, Ontario
6. Victor - bom 27 Sept 1914 in Barvenkovo, died 18 July 1944 over France, navigator of
an aircraft
7. Heinrich - bom 8 Feb 1917 in Barvenkovo, while Abraham was away as a Sanitaeter,
died 30 June 1987 in Kamloops, BC
8. Lydia - bom 10 Feb 1920 in Karassan, Crimea, died 23 Dec 1983 in Chilliwack, BC
Abraham’s older brother Komelius spent some time during a furlough with the Unruhs in
Barvenkovo, and was particularly helpful when tragedy struck the family with the death of daughter
Elisabeth. He and his wife returned to India, leaving Barvenkovo by train in July of 1904.
With World War 1 raging, Abraham joined the Sanitaetsdienst in 1915. He was posted to fill
an office position, first in Ekaterinoslav, later at the port city of Odessa. Abraham was a large man,
so he had to have his uniform tailor-made. The usual belts were too short, so that two had to be
sewn together - giving him the nickname “two belt Sanitaeter .”
After two years of service, in 1917, the Revolution broke out, and the war for Russia was
brought to a close; service as a Sanitaeter was at an end. The returning Black Sea Fleet sailors
resented that they, according to their estimation, had borne the brunt of the hardship of war while
the Sanitaeter had sat comfortably at home. Abraham became the spokesman for his colleagues,
pointing out that they too had gone through dangers and suffering; the sailors were pacified.
Abraham returned home to his family.
Anti-German feeling had surfaced in Barvenkovo. While Abraham was away on government
45
business the family was not molested, but after the outbreak of the Revolution resentment included
even his family. All the Mennonites for a time found refuge on a nearby Mennonite estate. When
the Unruhs returned they found that their house had been ransacked. Abraham’s papers and books
had been torn to shreds and piled up in the middle of the living room. Poking around in the debris
they found an envelope containing 100 rubles which the robbers had missed. It had previously been
designated as tithe money, and Abraham insisted that this use not be changed, despite the desperate
family circumstances. Abraham advised the members of the church not to take back their belongings
by force if they saw someone else with them.
While Abraham had been involved with the schools, he also played a vital role in the local
Barvenkovo Mennonite Brethren Church. The neighbouring Naumenko Colony, consisting of the
villages Elenovka, Petrovka and Vassilyevka, was established in 1890, largely by Mennonite
Brethren. There were a number of meeting places in the colony, notably in Vassilyevka, and there
were a number of Mennonite Brethren ministers. Organizationally the Naumenko church was a
subsidiary of the Einlage
Mennonite Brethren. Mennonite
Brethren, largely in some form
of business, had moved into
Barvenkovo, so a small
congregation was also organized
there, likely at the turn of the
century. Prominent were
members of the extended Froese
family, largely from
Andreasfeld, as well as a
Klassen family. It was probably
Gerhard Froese, deacon of the
congregation, who had first
asked Abraham to establish the
new elementary school in
Barvenkovo.
Abraham played a leading role in the church, and according to the wishes of the local
congregation was ordained to the ministry on 23 May 1904 by Elder David Schellenberg. Abraham
shared this important day at the Vassilyevka Mennonite Brethren Church with a baptismal service,
involving 20 candidates.
Although there were other ministers involved with the Barvenkovo Mennonite Brethren
Church, such as Gerhard Siemens, Johann Schellenberg and Peter Peters, Abraham must have been
considered the leader when it came to trouble. Mill owner Gerhard Froese had inspirational
meetings for his employees. On one occasion, in May of 1909, an evangelistic preacher was
unexpectedly added to the program; someone complained. The police arrested and imprisoned
Gerhard Froese, and presumably because he was responsible for Mennonite Brethren spiritual
activity in Barvenkovo, also Abraham. Appeals went as far as St Petersburg, and the two were
released after 21 days. Abraham, although by his own admission not a skillful musician, seems to
have been involved with the choir at Barvenkovo, and was active among the young people.
Abraham Unruh with the Barvenkovo youth group
46
Abraham was increasingly aware of the anti-German feeling in the largely Russian/Ukrainian
community. The increasingly blatant antireligious atmosphere at the Kommerzschule was also
difficult to deal with. When he received an offer to be principal of the Zentralschule in Karassan,
Crimea, the Unruhs saw this as a God-given opportunity. They sold their house to a Russian buyer
and prepared to leave. Travel was not easy in those tumultuous times. Abraham hired a freight
railway car and loaded all their belongings onto one end. The other end was arranged as living
quarters for the whole family, including Abraham’s mother, who still lived with them. Here the
family slept, ate and whiled away the time as the train slowly headed south to the Crimea.
Karassan was an important Mennonite centre in the Crimea. The large Zentralschule was
located on a square in the middle of the village. It had developed into a first-rate school, which by
1918 was co-educational. While being Mennonite, it was not at all certain that all of the teachers
were Christians. Abraham faithfully fulfilled his duties as teacher and principal. More and more,
however, he came to the conviction that his true purpose in life was to proclaim the Good News.
He had become a good friend of Elder Hermann Rempel of the Mennonite Church; the two of them
often visited neighbouring villages to conduct preaching missions. When in 1920 a call came to join
the faculty of the newly founded Bible school in Tchongrav, Abraham accepted. The Unruh family
moved to Tchongrav.
It is likely at this point that Abraham’s mother went to stay with her daughter, Mrs. Komelius
Baerg, in Tiege, Molotschna. Abraham stayed in touch with her, even bringing her a sack of flour
during the famine of 1922. When she died in the autumn of 1922 Abraham remarked, “Until this
day I knew every day: I have a mother who is praying for me. Now I have no mother.”
Returned missionary Johann G Wiens, who had completed seminary training in Hamburg and
London, was the first instructor at the new Bible Seminary (later renamed Bible School) established
in Tchongrav in the autumn of 1918. Thirty-four students came from all over Russia. Heinrich J
Braun was soon appointed the second faculty member, followed by Gerhard Reimer. Abraham,
although not having as much formal education as some of the other teachers, had developed into an
effective expositor of the Scriptures. Quite providentially the Unruhs had previously invested in a
property in Tchongrav, and so had easy access to a place to live.
The school had received permission to operate from General Peter Wrangel while the Crimea
was occupied by his White Army. The school used the church building in Tchongrav, which was
attached to the village school. It was co-educational, and accepted only those students who were
serious about their studies and were willing to work through the three-year program. Basically, with
a few modifications, the curriculum was that of the Hamburg Baptist Seminary. It included study
of both German and Russian grammar. Abraham apparently quoted his uncle Komelius, who had
quipped, “The devil is against grammar, for he knows that it only makes for a better understanding
of the Scriptures.”
When the Communists took full control of the Crimea all students and faculty were arrested
and committed to trial. Charges were proven to be false, partly by the testimony of the local
Russians. In March, 1924, however, the local authorities decreed that the school should be closed.
Petitions that the school be allowed to re-open were successful at the central government, but
unfortunately the local authorities did not actually permit this to happen. So the 50 students had their
studies rudely interrupted, this time permanently.
Reluctantly Abraham came to the conclusion that in the long run it would be better to leave
47
Russia. Through gracious donors, funds were supplied for the family to leave. Documentation was
somewhat difficult to come by, but eventually through the work of son Abraham and brother
Benjamin the family was able to leave. Via Riga, Germany and The Netherlands they reached their
ship at Antwerp. They crossed the stormy sea on board the S S Minnedosa , to land in St John, New
Brunswick in January of 1925. Later that year the Unruh family moved to Winkler, Manitoba.
Abraham felt that Bible teaching was also necessary in Canada. He began his first Bible
school in his new home country in the autumn of 1925. The first year only 13 students enroled.
Until Christmas Abraham taught alone, then was joined by another colleague from Tchongrav,
Gerhard Reimer. In 1927 Johann G Wiens, the former principal from Tchongrav, was added to the
faculty. The curriculum again followed that of the transplanted Hamburg Baptist Seminary program
of Tchongrav, of course minus the Russian language studies.
Abraham led the Bible school, later known as the Winkler Bible Institute, for 19 years. He
preached in Mennonite churches throughout Canada and the United States, being particularly sought
after for Bible conferences. He edited a small paper called Die Antwort (The Answer), and
produced Sunday School material. He was active on a number of conference boards.
For some time the Mennonite Brethren of Canada had felt the need for a school of higher
theological education. In 1942 an Education Committee of the Canadian Conference was elected,
which first recommended that an advanced class be added to the curriculum of the Winkler school.
In time, because Winnipeg was geographically
more central and had a large Mennonite Brethren
community, the committee recommended that a
new school be established in that city. In 1944
after a “many sided discussion,” delegates at the
Canadian convention voted in favour of this
recommendation. And so the Mennonite Brethren
Bible College (MBBC) was established. The
Conference, in a unanimous vote, asked Abraham
to be the president. A suitable building was found
at 77 Kelvin Street (later called Henderson
Highway) in Winnipeg, and in the autumn of 1944
classes began. Despite a small enrolment and
graduating class, the closing exercises at the end of
the first year attracted widespread participation.
After one year Abraham realized that the
school needed a president who could relate
effectively with the English-speaking Mennonite
Brethren. He asked the board to release him from administrative duties and appoint John B Toews
as president. Abraham continued on as professor of Biblical Studies for another ten years; at the age
of 76 years he retired from his active teaching ministry.
In the meantime Abraham continued to preach and teach across the whole conference. He
also wrote a number of books. Among them were: Die Mennonitische Bihelschule in Tchongrav,
Kurzgefasste Einleitung in die heiligen Schriften AI ten Testaments, Predigtenwuerfe, Des Herrn
Mahnung an die Gemeinden dev Endzeit, Gottes Wort als Wegweiser far die Gemeindezucht, Der
John B Toews (left front), Abraham Unruh
and some board members at MBBC
48
Prophet Jesaja and Die Geschichte der Mennonitenbruedergemeinde.
In July of 1959 the Unruhs moved to the home of their daughter Lydia Friesen in Chilliwack,
BC, but then in August of 1960 settled in Clearbrook. Abraham’s diabetes made his last years
difficult, increasing blindness making it first hard, then impossible to read and write. He delivered
his last message in Chilliwack on 26 December 1960 on the text “We saw his glory.” He was slated
to preach in Clearbrook on 6 January 1961, but could not make it. He was admitted to hospital; his
condition gradually worsened, and he died quietly at 6:30 AM on 15 January 1961 of bronchial
pneumonia. So passed into eternity, to face the Master whom he loved, a man of God who had
served the church for over 50 years. The funeral was on 20 January with many mourners present.
Among the speakers was Dr F C Peters, Canadian Conference moderator. He mentioned the love
of Abraham as brother, his faithfulness as servant, and his work in the kingdom of God.
Abraham’s dear wife Katharina followed him in death on 7 March 1963.
Sources:
Canadian Mennonite Encyclopedia, on-line
Ewert, David, Stalwart for the Truth, Board of Christian Literature, General Conference of
Mennonite Brethren Churches of North America, Winnipeg, Canada, and Hillsboro,
USA, 1975, many pages
Friesen, P M, Die Alt-Evangelische Mennonitische Bruederschaft in Russ/and (1789-1910),
Raduga, Halbstadt, Taurida, 1911, pp 450-51
Mennonitische Rundschau
Obituaries:
Unruh, Abraham H - 15 February 1961
Unruh, Katharina - 4 December 1963
Toews, HP ,AH Unruh, D D, Lebensgeschichte 1878-1961, Publications Committee of the
Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches, Winnipeg, Canada, 1961,
many pages
Unruh, A H, Die Geschichte der Mennoniten-Bruedergemeinde 1860-1954, Committee of
Reference and Counsel, General Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches of North
America, Hillsboro, USA, 1954, many pages
Unruh family information - Peggy Regehr (granddaughter), Winnipeg, Canada
49
SOURCES
(for the entire Barvenkovo chapter)
Albrecht, Henry, Our Heritage: The Descendants of Franz and Heinrich Albrecht , December
1991, many pages
Barvenkovo - My Native Land, 350 year anniversary of the city and 80 year anniversary of the
region booklet, published in 2003
Canadian Mennonite Board of Colonization Extraction Project
Canadian Mennonite Encyclopedia, on-line
Der Bote
Obituaries:
Albrecht, Nikolai - 18 November 1931, p 2
Refugee Lists:
4 November 1925, p 3; 17 March 1926, p 7; 20 April 1927, p 4; 1 June 1927, p 4
17 August 1927, p 4
Der Botschafter
List of contibutors to the Bethania Heilanstalt, 24 Lebruary 1912, p 5
Durksen, Martin, Die Krim war unsere Heimat, self-published, Winnipeg, Canada, 1977,
pp 190-197
Epp, George K, “Urban Mennonites in Russia,” in Mennonites in Russia edited by John Friesen,
CMBC Publications, Winnipeg Canada, 1989, pp 247-48
Ewert, David, Stalwart for the Truth, Board of Christian Literature, General Conference of
Mennonite Brethren Churches of North America, Winnipeg, Canada, and Hillsboro,
USA, 1975, many pages
EWZ Lists: Mennonite extracts
Family Histories and Memoirs:
What Is My House? The Story of the Peter K. Froese Family, 1987
From Russia With Love... Memoirs of Margaret and Peter Froese
Leaving a Legacy. Treasuring the Rich Christian Heritage of the Johann Klassen Family
Peter, A Man of Stamina and Courage. Based on the writings of Peter H Koop, 1979
Jahresbericht des Bevol/maechtigten der Mennonitengemeinden in Russland in Sachen der
Unterhaltung der Forstkommandos imJahre 1908, p 11, 12, 13, 18, 20
Friedesstimme
Reports:
Death of Klaas B Schmidt, 18 June 1911, p 8
Friesen, Edith Elisabeth, Journey Into Freedom, Raduga Publications, Winnipeg, Canada, 2003,
pp 108,109
Friesen, P M Die Alt-Evangelische Mennonitische Bruederschaft in Russland (1789-1910),
Raduga, Halbstadt, Taurida, 1911 pp 450-51,469
Friesen, Rudy with Friesen, Edith Elisabeth, Building on the Past, Raduga Publications,
Winnipeg, Canada, 2004, pp 77, 676-679
Great Soviet Encyclopedia, Volume 2, p 648
Harms, Wilmer A, The Odyssey of Escapes From Russia, Hearth Publishing, Hillsboro, Kansas,
50
1998,p 181
Huebert, Helmut T, Mennonite Estates in Imperial Russia, Springfield Publishers, Winnipeg,
Canada, 2005, pp 86, 124, 129
Klassen, John, Winnipeg, Canada, personal information and pictures
Klassen, Robert Jay, The Parable of the Wheat Plant and the Sunbeam, Essay about the Lutch
Factory written as a school assignment, 1979
Klassen, Robert L, Life and Times of a Russian-German Mennonite Teacher: Cornelius
A Klassen (1883-1919) and Beyond, self-published, pp 35, 36, 72-75, 88, 89
Klassen, Sarah, Winnipeg, Canada, personal information
Lohrenz, Gerhard, Heritage Remembered, CMBC Publications, Winnipeg, Canada, 1974, pill
Mennonite Encyclopedia and Mennonitisches Lexikon entries for Barvenkovo and Nauvenko
Colony
Mennonitische Rundschau
Letters to the editor:
6 May 1903, p 4
28 September 1904, p 5
20 March 1929, p 5
Immigration lists:
4 March 1925, p 20
9 March 1927, p 15
29 January 1930, p 6
Obituaries:
Unruh, Abraham H (minister) - 15 February 1961
Unruh, Katharina (widow) - 4 December 1963
Neufeld, Elder Hermann A and Katharina, Their Story, The Autobiography of Elder Hermann
A and Katharina Neufeld, in Russia and Canada, translated by Abram H Neufeld,
Centre for Mennonite Brethren Studies in Canada, Winnipeg, Canada, 1984, pp 72, 82,
92,98
Quiring, Walter and Bartel, Helen, Als Ihre Zeit Erfuellt War, Saskatoon, Canada, 1963
pp 62-63
Toews, HP , A H Unruh, D D, Lebensgeschichte 1878-1961, Publications Committee of the
Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches, Winnipeg, Canada, 1961,
many pages
Toews, J A , A History of the Mennonite Brethren Church, Board of Christian Literature,
General Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches, Fresno, USA, 1975, pp 90-91,
248
Unruh, A H, Die Geschichte der Mennoniten-Bruedergemeinde 1860-1954, Committee of
Reference and Counsel, General Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches of North
America, Hillsboro, USA, 1954, pp 195-198, 259-62, 335
Unruh family information - Peggy Regehr (granddaughter of Abraham H Unruh), Winnipeg,
Canada
Vo/ksfreund, 10 January 1918, p 7
51
Chapter II
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Table ofContents.52
History of Berdyansk.53
Plan of Berdyansk in 1862.59
Berdyansk Buildings in 1862.60
Berdyansk Buildings, Institutions and Port.61
Map of Berdyansk “Rayon”(1972).65
Map of Berdyansk City (2000).66
Berdyansk Institutions.67
Crimean War Adventure.68
List of People.71
List of People for 1942.151
Pictures of People.152
Mennonite Institutions.157
Mennonite Events.161
Migration of the 1870s.165
1870s Migration Ships.170
Mennonite Businesses.171
Advertising and Pictures of Mennonite Business Establishments.175
Berdyansk Region Estates.180
Biography of Cornelius Janzen (Jansen) (1822-1894).182
Biography of Elder Leonhard Abraham Sudermann (1821-1900).193
Biography of Heinrich Abram Ediger (1863-1943)
and Alexander Heinrich Ediger (1893-1938?).203
Sources..215
52
HISTORY OF BERDYANSK
Berdyansk is a port city situated on the Sea of Azov, eastern part of the Zaporozhye Oblast,
and is the southern terminus of the Zaporozhye-Berdyansk railway line. It is about 50 km east-south¬
east of the former Molotschna Colony.
The city was founded in 1827 on the site of the Nogai-Tatar village of Kutur-Ohla near the
mouth of the Berda River. It developed on a low flat area between the sea and an escarpment which
runs parallel to the sea. With the encouragement of Count Vorontsov,
governor general of Taurida Province, it was developed into a port in 1836,
particularly meant to serve as a facility for exporting wheat from the large
German and Mennonite settlements in the region. At one point a storm had
seriously flooded the city and caused much damage, so granite stones were
hauled across the ice one winter to form a strong breakwater, thus protecting
the port. Berdyansk was incorporated as a city in 1837. By 1840 the
population reached 3,500. In 1842 it became a county city for the Taurida
Gubernia. Total land given to the city was 9,000 dessiatines; some of this
was rented out to help defray the expenses, such as taxes. Eighteen dessiatines were laid out as a city
garden.
Berdyansk lies at about 47° latitude North. Mean July temperature is 24°C; winters are mild
with January mean temperature at -4°C; annual precipitation is 380 mm. Sometimes, however, there
can be cold spells. On 9 March 1912 it was reported that the port was icebound. A strong northwest
wind together with the work of the icebreaker Rhede allowed the port to be opened to navigation,
as attested to by the arrival of a fishing vessel from Kerch. Quite a crowd had gathered to watch the
ship break up the 3 A arschin (53 cm) thick ice.
In the 1830s 50 garden plots were laid out on the east side of the city, each % dessiatines in
size. Since the local citizens did not embrace the opportunity to occupy this land, settlers from the
neighbouring Mennonite colonies were solicited. Mennonites from the Molotschna and the
Chortitza Colonies, as well as settlers directly from West Prussia, accepted the invitation. That part
of the city was named Nemetskaya Sloboda (German Colony). Two central lots were saved for the
building of a church and a school. This area was actually the first Mennonite suburb of any city in
Russia. In time the garden plots were all occupied, so a further 50 dessiatines were designated to be
garden plots. Mennonites received land for a cemetery in this region. Additional expansion on the
seven kilometre road to the Cossack village of Petrovsk was called Makorty.
When the milling, manufacturing and other business potential of Berdyansk became apparent
even more Mennonite families resettled. By 1841 there were about 50 families, including some who
had migrated directly from the Vistula area. Twenty-four families are specifically listed as having
come from the Molotschna; a number of these were businessmen. Eight family units came from
Chortitza. Johann Comies, chairman of the Agricultural Union in the Molotschna, even found it
necessary to appoint a regional representative to look after the organizational matters in the city.
Peter Bahnmann was the Berdyansk representative on the Molotschna Regional Council in 1851.
The Mennonite community grew, that same year numbering at least 200.
The Mennonite presence was felt particularly in business and city politics. Isbrand Friesen
53
built the first treadmill in Berdyansk in 1840; Abraham Sudermann built another treadmill in 1845.
By 1852 there was a considerable number of Mennonite businesses in the city. Jakob Berg, Peter
Rempel and Jakob Sudermann had windmills; Isaak Enns owned an oil mill; Jakob Buhler, Cornelius
Claassen, David Fast and Johann Rempel had flour mills; Nikolai Wiens and Jakob Isaak Sudermann
brokered grain and other products; Julius Wiens was a merchant while Benjamin Wedel was a
watchmaker.
The British navy used a raft called Lady Nancy carrying a 52-pounder cannon and
a whaler boat mounting a Congreve Rocket launcher to bombard Taganrog on
the Sea of Azov. Presumably similar tactics were used against Berdyansk
Drawing is from the London Illustrated News
The Crimean War broke out in 1853, Russia on the one side, with Turkey, Britain, France
and Sardinia (called the “Allies”) on the other. The British and French fleets entered the Black Sea
on 4 January 1854; the invasion of the Crimean Peninsula and the capture of Sevastopol were the
primary focus of the war. There were, however, also secondary skirmishes. The war effort was
known to be helped by crown peasants and “German” colonists in Melitopol and Berdyansk, since
they offered to take charge of some of the sick and wounded. The granaries of cities such as
Berdyansk also helped to supply the besieged Russian forces in Sevastopol. Allied ships passed
through the strait at Kerch to enter the Sea of Azov on May 22. They destroyed 245 Russian vessels
carrying supplies to the Russian army in the Crimea and also attacked and bombarded cities along
the north shore of the Sea of Azov. On May 26 the flotilla appeared before Berdyansk, burning
some coastal vessels and setting fire to large stores of grain. Berdyansk was again attacked on July
16, and after trying to allow the departure of women and children, the Allies again began to bombard
the city in earnest, firing mainly at the forage and com stacks behind the city. Other cities were also
attacked; Taganrog, for example was bombarded by British 52 pounder cannons and rockets.
Mennonites in the city fled, leaving their possessions and business establishments. Many
initially took refuge in the nearby Lutheran village of Neuhoffnung, then later with relatives in the
54
colonies. Their businesses would have been particularly targeted by the Allied fleet, since they were
some of the most prominent grain brokers in Berdyansk and would have been storing large amounts
of grain. The Mennonites returned almost a year later to the devastated city, occupied their homes,
and resumed their former endeavors. It was said, “May God grant that we understand the purpose
of this divine correction and utilize it for our inner edification.” Soon the Mennonite community and
the city again thrived. In 1863 the population was 10,000.
David Huebert (Hiebert) moved from Grossweide, Molotschna, to Berdyansk in 1860 and
purchased a treadmill; in 1869 he built a steam-powered flour mill. Abraham Jakob Sudermann was
a wine merchant. A rope factory started by Wiens and Janzen was later purchased by Peter Riediger.
In 1884 a Matthies family established an agricultural machinery factory. Cornelius Janzen was the
most prominent of several grain merchants. Heinrich Ediger owned a print shop and book store, and
was involved in publishing. He was also a bank director, a member of city council for many years
and was mayor for several years. Isbrandt Friesen sold his treadmill during the Crimean War, then
served as President of the Berdyansk city administration for nine years; he was also a bank director
and an honorary judge.
Mennonites also participated in international affairs. Cornelius Janzen was the Prussian
Consul for several years (actual time served is uncertain), while Heinrich Ediger was the Danish
Consul early in the 1900s.
In the 1860s another Mennonite suburb of Berdyansk was formed when a number of people
settled in the Makorty area. Heinrich Ediger was responsible for the establishment of a school in this
district. While they actively participated in general civic affairs, the Mennonites functioned almost
as a colony within the city. They had their own schools, administration and elected mayor. As
mentioned, the Berdyansk “Colony” functioned as a village of the Molotschna, even having a
member on the Molotschna Municipal Council.
Almost from the start a Mennonite church was organized in Berdyansk, initiated when
Abraham Isaak Sudermann arrived from Kalthof, West Prussia, in 1841. For several years church
services were held in private homes, but after a school was constructed they met in that building.
Many of the Mennonites of Berdyansk were still members of the Molotschna Pordenau Mennonite
Church, so the group was served by the elder of that church. In 1853 the 47 members of the
congregation decided to build a church. Construction began in 1858, but was not completed until
1863; it was a large, airy brick sanctuary. In 1865 the congregation achieved independent status, but
in 1876, after many of the leaders such as Elder Leonhard Sudermann had migrated, it became an
affiliate of the Gnadenfeld Mennonite Church, then after 1914 was overseen by the Rudnerweide
church.
In the 1870s there was a significant move to migrate to the United States, promoted to a
considerable degree by Cornelius Janzen and Elder Leonhard Sudermann. Janzen was so
enthusiastic that he was actually deported from Russia for his activities. In January of 1877 there
were still at least 60 Mennonite family units remaining in Berdyansk, although the migration to the
United States was not quite complete. Some later moved to an area called Ngradaftag, others
founded the village of Augustable in the Crimea.
Also in the 1870s the railways in this region were developed. The first short railway in
Russia was completed in 1837. In time the network was expanded to many parts of the country,
emphasis often being placed on industries served. To connect the grain producing areas with the
55
Black Sea ports was one priority, the Odessa Railway being built in 1870. The Kharkov-Sevastopol
line was built in 1875, and it is presumed that the extension to Berdyansk would have come soon
after that. Wheat from the Molotschna meant for export was traditionally shipped to Berdyansk by
wagons; this laborious process would have been made much easier by sending it, at least part of the
way, by rail. In 1914 the travel time from Berdyansk to Ekaterinoslav by train was approximately
12 hours.
Berdyansk seemed to flourish around the turn of the century. In 1908 a concern surfaced.
Even though elections were still a year away a person had noted that of the 300 eligible voters, 42
were “German.” The worry was that these might all vote as a bloc. It was countered that if the
elected representatives were honest and did not cheat on their taxes (obviously a Duma
representative had recently
been caught), a person of any
nationality could win the
election. In 1909 there were
109 Mennonites in the city
eligible for Forstei taxation,
and the total value of their
property was valued at one
million rubles. They seem to
have participated quite
actively in the Russian
Mennonite community, as
exemplified by the placing of
frequent advertising in their
publications such as the
commonly read Christlicher
Familienkalenar. Jakob Doerksen, for example, claimed tremendous progress ( Ein gewa/tiger
Fortschritt ) with his Krauss washing machines. Heinrich Ediger touted his printing services as well
as the German newspaper Der Botschafter. Matthias & Sons advertised their line of agricultural
implements. Other Mennonites must have also been interested in some of the services available in
Berdyansk such as the mud baths ( Schlammbaeder ) which were located in some shallow lakes five
km from the city, five daily trains providing the ten minute ride to the site daily. The season for the
baths was from May 20 to August 20. There was also a music school, where it was possible to learn
to play piano, harmonium, organ as well as other instruments. Music theory was also on the course
of studies as well as singing. Mennonites from out of town probably stayed with relatives, but even
so Gasthaus International advertised first class accommodations in 1912, with parking spots for
wagons and automobiles.
Mennonites participated in the functioning of some of the Berdyansk institutions. A
considerable number of young men went to the city Realschnle. Girls participated in cooking
classes. A number of businessmen were on boards of the local banks. The regional court was likely
an institution that most people would have avoided, but sometimes it was called upon to settle
disputes, in 1911, for example, dealing with a disciplinary matter at the Ohrloff Zentralschule. It
was felt by historian George Epp that Berdyansk was the first Russian city where Mennonites
Berdyansk about 1910
56
became involved in society in a significant way.
In 1905 Abraham Abraham Neufeld moved from Chortitza to Berdyansk to offer his children
better educational opportunities. He started his own Realschule, and continued as principal until he
died ini 909 of a stroke. Peter Peter Fast was then appointed to that position.
In 1907 David H Epp moved from Ekaterinoslav because he was having increasing difficulty
publishing his paper, Der Botschafter, in that city. He settled in Berdyansk, where he, with the help
and support of merchant and publisher H A Ediger, was able to continue his work. Unfortunately
all German publications were forced to close down with the onset of World War I, in late 1914.
In 1913 Dr Franz Dyck established a hospital in Berdyansk, called the Deutsches
Krankenhaus. The official opening of this facility was on February 15.
Up to 1918 the Mennonite community seems to have thrived, but with the Revolution and
the subsequent Civil War it began to disintegrate. During the German occupation of Ukraine in mid-
1918, the regional commander was based in Berdyansk. The Saxon Field Artillery Regiment
Number 79 was the specific regiment involved. With the collapse of the Selbstschutz in 1919, and
then the White Army in 1921, many used the ports of Berdyansk and Sevastopol to flee across the
Black Sea. During this time there must have been intense fighting in the Berdyansk area, with
considerable looting and destruction of property as well as loss of life. At least one person from
Berdyansk fled to Constantinople by January of 1921; two people are recorded as being in Germany
by February 1921, Consul Heinrich Ediger and Vice Consul Alexander Sukkau. With the onset of
famine in South Russia Berdyansk seems to have
been severely affected. A three-member committee
was established to distribute food vouchers in the
city: Minister David H Epp, Elder Leonhard Jakob
Sudermann and Teacher Peter Wiebe. Beyond that
a list of 21 households asked for help through the
pages of the Mennonitische Rundschau.
On 17 June 1922 Johann Doerksen reported
that there were 190 Mennonites remaining in
Berdyansk, some of whom were permanent
residents, but most were refugees. Many
organizations and businesses had been closed by the
government on 1 January 1921, and of those still
functioning up to 70% of the employees had been
laid off. Most Mennonites were therefore unemployed; only six were working. Food aid from
America was slow in coming, and three church members actually starved to death. Whoever had
property was bartering off what they had for food. Those in houses were breaking them down for
fuel, since a pud of coal (36 pounds or 16.4 kilos) cost 800,000 rubles. There was probably still a
functioning church in 1922, but no delegate was sent to the General Conference of Mennonite
Churches of Russia held in Moscow in January of 1925.
When negotiations were proceeding for the migration of Mennonites to Canada in the 1920s,
the original idea was to embark from ports in Ukraine. Unfortunately the two ports in question,
Berdyansk and Sevastopol, were both badly silted, so they could not be used. When the departures
finally proceeded via Moscow only five people are listed as migrating from Berdyansk to Canada
The ruins of the Abraham Sudermann
house in 1923
57
in the 1920s. No person from Berdyansk is listed as
escaping via Moscow and Riga in 1929-1930. One person
bom in Berdyansk seems to have escaped across the Amur
River ice; the Heinrich Fedrau family reached Harbin in
China in the early 1930s.
The population of the city as a whole declined
during this time, dipping down to 26,400 by 1926. There
was, however an upswing in the economy of the city due to
industrialization in the 1930s. A regional art museum was
established in 1930, and the Pedagogical Institute was
founded in 1932. For a time during World War II the city
was occupied by the German armed forces. At least 18
Mennonites were registered as living in the city in 1942.
Some of the Mennonites of Berdyansk did manage to flee
during this time. Marie Epp and her son Harry landed in
Halifax, Canada in 1948, showing that they had escaped to
the West. Peter Sudermann, student in a technical school
in Berdyansk in 1941, was able to get to Germany, and
eventually to Canada.
From 1939 until 1958 the city was renamed
Osipenko, but after that it reverted back to the original
Berdyansk. Currently Berdyansk a cable and a road
machinery plant, a petroleum refinery and a fibreglass plant. Other industries include clothing,
footwear and food, flour milling, fishing and fish processing. The Berdyansk State Pedagogical
Institute continues to function, and there is a medical school. The coastal “mud health resort” is still
an attraction on the shores of three nearby lakes. It is claimed that almost any medical disorder can
be cured by the silt, mud and brine, except tuberculosis.
The current population of Berdyansk is approximately 135,000 (1996 estimate). The city has
expanded to include the area of the neighbouring escarpment; this divides it into an older lower
region near the sea and a newer section beyond the escarpment. It is still a port of call for ships on
the Sea of Azov; there are nine berths in the port, each serviced by railway and road approaches.
There is also a passenger terminal.
There is very little to show of the previous Mennonite presence; all of the Mennonite homes
along the escarpment of the German area were leveled to make way for industry, but there are still
some left in the inner part of the city. There is a Berdyansk Christian Centre; a church youth
conference was held in the city in 2003.
Modem seaside Berdyansk hotel
58
59
Berdyansk buildings in 1862
Pictures taken from the comers of
the 1862 Plan map
6i
Berdyansk buildings and institutions
I
Mennonite elementary school, showing
Molotschna type school architecture
The Matthias residence, now
being repaired
German” students at Realschule in Berdyansk
Members of the final year class in 1910
Mennonite girls taking a cooking class in Berdyansk
61
Berdyansk City Scenes
Lutheran Cathedral in Berdyansk,
nineteenth century
62
Port facilities
63
Gymnasium/Teachers College, built 1875
64
According to a map
published in Encyclopedia
of Ukraine using Russian
spelling |
BERDYANSK
“RAYON”
1972
\ @
Y%
• \9>
• \°
V\1
Andreyevka
\9 Uspenovka
Berestovoye
!o Vyboye
Karda-Marksa o
-r •
% So /
Nikolayevka o
r—y \
; / \ Novotroitskoyej
j 0 V 9
./ Dolinskoye /
M \ /
'Androvka
;/fo Osipenko
'yoNovovasilyevka
V
.. >
Chervonoye Polye /
/ \
. , x ;>
Berdyanskoye /
'Dmitrovka
.-SO-- >
Lunacharskoye''v
BerdyansK*
'Novopetrovka
Sea of Azov
Berdyansk Gulf
— Rayon boundary
I I Railway
-Major road
O O Major towns
O Smaller town
65
=1
»
Jib =
VgjL Poza
m
Novovasilevka\\ I
Shelkovoye
Staropetrovka
iNovovasilevka
wwf]§k Lunacharskoye
* °
^^^^W> rchard
Lake Krugloye
a \i/
0
Light '” } /
( J Lake
Rerrlvansk □□m| t ¥°°B0UL D \ Kras -
DemydnSK VCZnfl □□□ra,jH n aonr=- x,/ noper
Berdyansk Gulf ^*^0^|]p a [Ii^!3l t)/
(part of the Sea of Azov) Berdyansk^^^J^^ pg^ ^^°
° rt / Lake
/ Dolgoye
BERDYANSK
ZAPOROZHYE
REGION
From a map of 2000
I + I Cemetery
IXI Railway Station
'•/ Swamp
Sailor’s
nor s \^e_s^=r^, /
SubUrt> / Factory
lLake Krasnoye
HTH/2005
66
BERDYANSK INSTITUTIONS
(Utilized or participated in by Mennonites)
Agricultural Society of Berdyansk
Isbrand Friesen was chairman
Bank in Berdyansk
A P Ediger was a director
Bank of the City of Berdyansk
Isbrand Friesen a director for 18 years
Berdyansk City Administration
Heinrich Abram Ediger was city councillor for many years
Heinrich Abram Ediger was mayor of Berdyansk for a number of years
College (possibly Realschule for girls)
Katharina Dyck transferred from a college in Kharkov to Berdyansk, because her parents
thought it was safer in Berdyansk
Cooking courses offered in the city
At least 8 Mennonite girls were in the course at one time
Realschule
Government school, besides the private Mennonite Realschule started by A A Neufeld
In 1910 half of the students in the upper class were Mennonites
67
CRIMEAN WAR ADVENTURE
Two citizens tell the story
Leonhard Abraham Sudermann, later Elder, lived through the Crimean War as it was
played out on the Sea of Azov in 1855. In 1882 he published a report of his personal experiences
in the pages of the Familienkalender (Elkhart). As was his style, the narrative is interspersed with
expounding on lengthy moral lessons to be learned, by the quoting of numerous Bible verses and
hymns. One of his favourite songs needed to have all five stanzas in the text. The events according
to Leonhard were roughly as follows:
The Friday before Pentecost, 25 May 1855, the Sudermanns were about to sit down to a
midday meal when a neighbour friend rushed in to tell them, “Dear ones, do not be too shocked if
I tell you an important but disconcerting bit of news; the enemy is near our city and could possibly
land in a few hours.” That news certainly did not improve the appetites of those who were about to
eat.
Trade and commerce had carried on as usual in the Sea of Azov despite the British and
French Fleets being on the Black Sea. There was assurance that the passageway between the two
bodies of water at the Strait of Kerch was blocked by mines. The flour required by the Russian
forces could therefore be easily transported from the port cities where it was being milled, to the
Crimea where it was needed, by small vessels. One day, however, it occurred to the commander of
the British fleet that it would be worth a try to navigate the strait. The first ship made it, and was
rapidly followed by others.
Three Russian steamers anchored nearby saw this happen. They headed ftill-steam ahead to
the north to escape, and into the Berdyansk port. Ignoring the retaining wall they grounded
themselves on the beach. It was from the crews of these ships that the disturbing news of the
approach of the enemy had come. Typical for Leonhard Sudermann, he thought of a hymn to calm
his nerves and those of his household.
The truth of the warning was confirmed; the next step was to make plans for the escape from
danger. It was decided that the best immediate haven was Neuhoffnung, a German (Swabian
Separatist) village about 18 verst (19.3 km) from the coast. The Sudermanns loaded the necessary
clothes and linens onto a one horse wagon and headed north - together with many others. Once they
had reached the main road women and children continued on the trail; the men turned back to
complete arrangements in the city. People from Neuhoffnung even came to Berdyansk with wagons
to help in the evacuation.
Towards evening Leonard and others back in the city were loading personal belongings onto
wagons when there was a tremendous explosion, assumed to be a cannonball from an enemy ship.
In a while there was a second, then a third, followed by a number of further explosions. Having
loaded the wagons the group headed out and onto an elevation behind the city where they could
survey the scene. No enemy ships were visible. The three grounded steamers were, however,
blazing. The crews had set their ships on fire to prevent them from falling into enemy hands. When
the fires reached the magazines the ammunition was ignited, resulting in tremendous explosions.
The next morning the smaller ships in port headed eastward in an attempt to escape the
enemy. This effort later proved to be fruitless, since the Allied Fleet eventually controlled the whole
68
coastline. Saturday noon, a day after the first warning, enemy ships were sighted from Berdyansk.
Before heading for port they first destroyed all the small ships in the region, setting them ablaze.
As Leonhard was looking out over the city, he noted that within 24 hours it had been
abandoned. He apparently waited so long at his wonderful vantage point that by nightfall everyone
had left. He managed to cajole a Russian, who had been his servant, into lending him a small skinny
horse; he even got a fur coat to sit on, since there was no saddle. Leonhard reached Neuhoffnung,
and even was able to find his wife. The Sudermanns found that there was room in the houses, but
also in the hearts of the people. The evening service conducted by the local pastor was a tremendous
blessing.
The next morning, Sunday, was Pentecost; again the church service was a time of real
blessing. Even some Russians and Italians from the city of Berdyansk were present. The pastor took
the opportunity to castigate a few of his own members for using the misfortunes of others to reap
undue profits.
Those who were able to visit Berdyansk after several weeks found it to be considerably
changed. The enemy had destroyed some of the houses near the sea, by fire, but otherwise most
buildings stood. A few sailors had come ashore on Pentecost Sunday and amused themselves by
hunting the freely running chickens and pigs, both as sport, and to supplement their diet. The
unpaved streets had tall weeds; disorganized yards showed the haste with which the inhabitants had
left. It was a rare occurrence to meet any person on the streets.
The enemy ships could be seen periodically, but by and large they left the city in peace. The
Russian government, however, stationed a number of Cossacks in the city. When a group of military
personnel was spotted by ship telescope the British would sent a cannonball into the area. It would
have been possible to move back to some of the residential areas, but the government strictly forbade
it. Leonhard’s own garden and orchard had “become a wilderness, with weeds growing to their
heart’s content.” They were almost the size of trees.
Occasionally, with special consent, a person might be allowed into the city to accomplish
urgent business. Leonhard must have convinced someone that he was on essential business when
he found himself in Berdyansk with his horse and wagon. It occurred to him that he should wash
his horse in the sea, the way he usually did in peacetime, this despite a British warship lying at
anchor in the harbour. He soon noticed a rowboat, with a number of military personnel on board,
heading his way. He took the horse out of the water, and was applying the harness when a British
officer approached him and spoke to him in English. All Leonhard could understand was the word
“Governor.” From this he concluded that the officer wished to speak to the mayor of the city. The
officer sat down on the wagon, leaving no room for Leonhard, so the procession travelled with
Leonhard leading the way on foot until they found the mayor. He was about to embark upon his
midday meal with a number of business friends, when he was interrupted - by the Vice Admiral of
the British Fleet. That was who the mystery passenger was.
As could readily be imagined, once Leonhard had delivered his passenger, he left for his own
home, where he had an undisturbed midday meal. The Vice Admiral’s business was to requisition
additional cattle. When the Russian authorities were negligent in fulfilling the request they were
forced to pay a heavy fine.
Since the war continued for some time the Sudermann’s settled in the Molotschna Colony,
where they again experienced brotherly love and fellowship. They finally left these quarters in the
69
spring of 1856 after peace had been declared, and returned to their own home in Berdyansk.
Heinrich Abram Ediger, bom in Berdyansk after the Crimean War treaties had been signed,
was subsequently a city councillor for many years, and the mayor for a number of years. In 1928,
as part of his Erinnerungen , he wrote a brief account of Berdyansk involvement in the war.
One day five English warships appeared on the horizon. Two Russian frigates lay at anchor
in the port. To defeat the enemy was impossible, escape not likely, so the crews set them aflame and
detonated explosives on them.
Cossack forces in the nearby village of Petrovsk had also seen the enemy ships, so 100 men
with two cannons were despatched to Berdyansk. They sent a few cannonballs in the direction of
the enemy - the English ships retaliated with a vigorous barrage from their cannons. The Cossacks
were forced to retire. Years later some of the cannonballs were still embedded in the facades of a
number of houses.
The enemy landed, demanding to see the city administration. They offered to spare
destruction of the city in exchange for 100 beef cattle. After lengthy negotiations the mayor, Vassiliy
Anopoff, promised to deliver the demanded cattle in a few days. He kept his word and delivered the
cattle, at the same time receiving the negotiated payment. The enemy ships sailed off and did not
return.
The English ships had no sooner departed when the brave Cossacks returned and put the
mayor into prison for collaborating with the enemy. Thanks to the pleading of the citizens of the
city, and their assertion that Anopoff really had no choice in delivering the cattle to spare the city a
bombardment, the mayor was released after a few days.
70
LIST OF PEOPLE
(People who at one time lived in Berdyansk)
(Each name will appear in bold print only once)
We have been able to identify 978 Mennonites who spent some time of their lives in
Berdyansk. Obviously there were never that many in the city at any one time, with records of
them residing in the city all the way from the 1830s to as late as the 1940s. There were 19
Mennonites registered as living in Berdyansk in 1942.
Abrams, Jacob E
Bom 11 November 1828 in Tiegerweide, Molotschna
Parents Johann Peter Abrahams and Maria Ewert
Brother of Katharina E Abrams
Baptized 12 June 1850 in South Russia
Died 1872 in Berdyansk
Abrams, Katharina E
Bom 9 December 1830 in Tiegerweide, Molotschna
Parents Johann Peter Abrahams and Maria Ewert
Sister of Jacob E Abrams
Baptized 28 May 1851 in South Russia
Possibly invited guest to the wedding of Heinrich Peter Bahnmann and Katharina Wiens on
11 January 1877 (called Widow Abrams)
Died in Berdyansk (date not known)
Albrecht, Abram Abram
Formerly from Pologi
By 1922 lived in Berdyansk, requested food draft via the Mennonitische Rundschau 7 June
1922
Address: Strasse Gogolevskaya No 26, Berdyansk
Looking for Peter Loewen
Albrecht, Peter
Wife Maria Dueck
The Albrechts actually lived on the 1,000 dessiatine Ebenfeld Estate in the Pologi municipality,
and owned a large mill in Pologi
Children:
Peter - bom 1911 in Pologi, moved with the family to Halbstadt, Berdyansk, Hamberg,
then to Canada in 1925, married Aganetha (Nettie), no children of their own, but
adopted 3 girls, Peter died in Edmonton about 2002, Nettie is still alive (2005)
Abram - bom 30 May 1912 in Pologi, moved with the family to Halbstadt, Berdyansk,
Hamberg, then to Canada in 1925, married Aganeta Thiessen 4 February 1967
Abram died 23 February 1993 in Winnipeg, Manitoba
Heinrich - bom 25 September 1913 in Pologi, moved with the family to Halbstadt,
Berdyansk, Hamberg, then to Canada in 1925, married Margaretha, one son
Daniel bom about 1959, who was killed in a truck accident in 1972, Margaretha
71
died about 2001, Heinrich is living in Winnipeg (2005)
1917 the family moved to Halbstadt, Molotschna, then in 1920 to Berdyansk, then back to the
Hamberg, Molotschna
September 1925 they immigrated to Canada, at first staying on a farm in Starbuck, Manitoba,
then in the spring of 1926 they moved to Winnipeg
Father Peter died in 1952, Maria in 1965
Bahnmann, Cornelius
Bom 25 September 1802
Wife Susanna Neudorf, bom about 1795
Children:
Cornelius - bom about 1830 (see separate listing Cornelius Cornelius Bahnmann)
Jakob - born about 1833
Moved from Kronsthal, Chortitza Farm No 4, to Berdyansk in 1830
Father Cornelius worked as a bricklayer
Bahnmann, Cornelius Cornelius
Bom about 1830, either in Kronsthal, Chortitza or Berdyansk
Parents Cornelius Bahnmann and Susanna Neudorf
Married Katharina Sudermann about 1849
Children:
Cornelius - bom about 1850 in Berdyansk
Jakob - bom 27 July 1856
Katharina - bom 23 April 1858
Franz - bom 3 April 1859
Heinrich - born 28 June 1861
Anna - bom 18 October 1863
Aron - bom 26 February 1865
Peter - bom 15 February 1867
Johann - bom 22 September 1869
Susanna - bom 31 July 1870
Helena - bom 7 January 1876
Family migrated to Canada on the S S Quebec , landing in Quebec 23 June 1876
At least some of the family lived in Kleinstadt, Manitoba, where Anna died 4 August 1897
Bahnmann, Jakob
Bom 15 September 1831, baptized 1851
Married Margaretha Fast 21 January 1854
She was born 17 September 1836, baptized 1853
Parents Peter Fast and Justina Hiebert
Moved to Berdyansk sometime before 1856
Children:
Cornelius - bom 17 November 1854, married Elisabeth K Nickel 15 April 1874,
3 children, Elisabeth died 21 January 1879, married Anna Guenther 11 July 1880,
10 more children
Jakob - bom 28 October 1856 in Berdyansk, married Anna Unrau 20 January 1878,
72
migrated to Burwalde, Manitoba, 14 children, Anna died 24 May 1913, married
Emma Liesch 7 March 1915, Jakob died 15 March 1922
Jakob was baptized 30 May 1886, said to be the first Mennonite Brethren
baptized in Canada
Peter - bom 21 October 1860 in Berdyansk, married Maria Friesen, 9 children, died
March 1925
Margaretha - bom 17 January 1865, married Johann Sudermann 15 July 1884,
12 children, died 30 October 1905
Justina - bom 21 May 1867 in Berdyansk, married Heinrich Unger 14 July 1885,
11 children, died 18 February 1905
Katharina - bom 15 October 1869, married Benjamin Fehr 7 June 1888, 10 children
Abram - bom 22 October 1871, died 15 April 1879
Anna - bom 10 January 1874, died 13 April 1879
Presumably there was an epidemic of some kind of childhood disease
Susanna - bom 8 December 1876, died 8 December 1876
Ship list has a Jakob Bahnmann family arriving in Ontario or Manitoba 22 July 1875
Bahnmann, Peter Jakob
Bom 1 December 1814 in Kronsweide, Chortitza Colony
Parents Jakob Bahnmann and Helena Wiens who migrated to Chortitza about 1789
Married Maria Kaetler, probably about 1838, she was bom 16 April 1819 in Prussia
Lived in Kronsweide, Chortitza Colony, where they had Farm No 3, by 1837 to Berdyansk
Peter did various types of work; initially he may have been a surveyor in Berdyansk
He was the Berdyansk representative on the Molotschna Regional Council in 1851
Children:
Helena - bom about 1837 in Berdyansk, married Abram Nickel, migrated to the USA
in 1875, settling in Mountain Lake, Minnesota
Peter - bom about 1839 in Berdyansk, married Maria Martens, daughter of Jakob
Wilhelm Martens (an estate owner), they lived on an estate in the Brodsky area,
became extremely wealthy, also owned estates at Reinfeld and Marianovka, had 2
daughters bom on the estate, Maria and Katharina, wife Maria died 1889, Peter
died December 1907
Jakob - born about 1846 in Berdyansk,
married Maria Guenther 19 February 1870 in the Berdyansk Mennonite Church,
Maria was bom about 1845
She was daughter of Dietrich Guenther and Maria Janzen
Had one daughter Maria, bom 31 August 1888 in Berdyansk
Daughter Maria married Isbrand Hermann Friesen
Jakob died December 1893, wife Maria died 1920 in Ohrloff
Heinrich - bom 29 October 1852 in Berdyansk
Married Katharina Wiens of Berdyansk on 11 January 1877
(see Regier, Katharina Nikolai (nee Wiens) for details of family history)
Died 19 June 1906 in Waldheim, Saskatchewan
Anna - bom about 1855 in Berdyansk, married David Bartel 14 June 1873
73
Were invited guests to the wedding of Heinrich Peter Bahnmann and Katharina
Wiens on 11 January 1877
Had at leastl daughter Helena, many descendants, some of whom died of
starvation in Russia
Anna died December 1889
Maria - bom 17 May 1860 in Berdyansk, married Johann Giesbrecht, 10 children,
many descendants, some of whom died of starvation in Russia
Maria died after 1927
Invited guests to the wedding of Heinrich Peter Bahnmann and Katharina Wiens on
11 January 1877
Peter Jakob Bahnmann died 28 December 1885 in Berdyansk
Wife Maria died 1 March 1910 in Berdyansk
Bartel, Heinrich
Bom 31 March 1833 in Brenkenhofswalde, Brandenburg, Prussia
Baptized 5 September 1860
Married Helena Regier 12 August 1861 in Landskrone, Molotschna
Her parents were Peter Regier and Helena Kroeker
Children:
Peter - born 23 May 1863 in South Russia, died 23 May 1863 in South Russia
Heinrich - born 15 July 1864 in South Russia, died 1864 in South Russia
David - bom 1 September 1865 in South Russia, died 1865 in South Russia
Peter - bom 25 May 1867 in Rostov, Don River region, immigrated to USA, married
Anna Vogt 13 June 1890, 12 children,
died 26 March 1940 in Com, Oklahoma
Heinrich - born 29 December 1868 in Rostov, Don River region, immigrated to USA,
married Sarah Regier, lived in Fairview Oklahoma, 6 children, died
27 April 1957 in Fresno, California
Helena - bom 11 November 1871 in Rostov, Don River region, immigrated to USA,
married Cornelius C Cornelsen 27 November 1890 in Liberty, Kansas, 3 children,
died 21 September 1910 in Fairview, Oklahoma
Family must have moved to and lived in Berdyansk for a brief period
Maria - bom 15 June 1873 in Berdyansk, died 1873 in Berdyansk
The family seems to have moved back to Rostov, Don River region
Wilhelm - bom 26 October 1875 in Rostov, Don River region, immigrated to USA,
married Amelia Karber 13 October 1897 in Fairview, Oklahoma, 11 children,
died 15 June 1969 in Reedley, California
The family immigrated to the USA, boarding the S S Wieland, travelling Hamburg, Le Havre,
landing in New York 15 June 1880, settling in Kansas, where 3 more children were bom
Jakob - bom 28 July 1880 in Marion, Kansas
David - bom 20 June 1884 in Hillsboro, Kansas
Abraham - bom 14 September 1888 in Hillsboro Kansas
Father Heinrich died 5 December 1907 in Fairview, Oklahoma
Mother Helena died 16 March 1932 in Enid, Oklahoma
74
Bartel, Wilhelm
In the 1850s and 1860s a colporteur and evangelist based in Berdyansk
Active in the circle of Mennonites who supported Eduard Wuest in the 1850s
Johann Claassen made 2 trips to St Petersburg and Reval to deal with the legal problems
associated with the Bruderschule. The young Wilhelm Bartel was one of 4 men that
accompanied him in 1854
He associated with Kappes, a radical charismatic, was quite active in the Froehliche Richtung
Wilhelm was one of 33 men who signed a document written by the early Mennonite Brethren
to the Ohrloff Mennonite Church on 19 March 1860, stating that they would be open to
reconciliation.
Another letter written to clarify the position of the breakaway church, signed by 5 brothers,
including Heinrich Huebert and Wilhelm Bartel, was sent from Berdyansk 27 December
1860
Bartel continued as a businessman in Berdyansk until he moved in 1864
Berg, Jakob
Bom about 1809
Wife Susanna - bom about 1805
Children:
Susanna - bom about 1833
Heinrich - bom about 1835
Katharina - bom about 1837
Franz - bom about 1838
Peter - bom about 1840
Wilhelm - bom about 1842
Isaak - bom about 1845
Moved from Marienthal, Molotschna, where he owned Farm No 2, to Berdyansk by 1852
Owned a windmill in Berdyansk by 1852, and was a cabinet maker
Bergen, Jakob
Bom about 1833
Wife Helena Rempel
Bom about 1840
Children: presumably all bom in Berdyansk
Aganetha - bom about 1858
Elisabeth - bom about 1859
Helena - bom about 1860 in Berdyansk
Married Heinrich Peter Janzen 20 October 1884, 9 children
Died 29 September 1942 in Enid, Oklahoma
Gerhard - bom about 1861
Katharina - bom about 1864
Anna - bom about 1867
Maria - bom about 1870
Sarah - bom about 1873
Whole family immigrated to USA in 1874
75
Departed Hamburg and Le Havre aboard the S S Cimbria, arrived in New York
27 August 1874
Likely settled in Enid, Oklahoma
Brauer, Mr
Wife Mrs Brauer
Daughter Maria was born 1 July 1977 in Berdyansk
She was baptized 1896
Married Jacob Harder 16 May 1899 in Ohrloff, Molotschna
He was bom 7 December 1873 in Rosenort, Molotschna
Children:
Jacob - bom 20 April 1905 in Doloinsk, Neu Samara Colony, immigrated to
Canada, married Maria Penner 26 April 1931 in Allingham, Alberta,
at least 1 son bom in Alberta
Brauer, Nikolai Erdmann
Bom 15 June 1893 in Franzthal, Molotschna
Married Helena Dueck 23 March 1919 in Franzthal
She was born 15 February 1902 in Franzthal
First lived in Franzthal, where the first 2 children were bom, then to Berdyansk by 1940
Children:
Elise - bom 15 September 1921 in Franzthal, married Peter Thielmann 24 May 1942 in
Franzthal, 3 children, Peter escaped to Germany during World War II, then to
Canada, Elise also escaped, the last of the children being bom in Saskatchewan
Nikolai - bom 15 January 1929 in Franzthal, married Irmgard Wiebe
Helena (Lena) - bom 4 February 1940 in Berdyansk, married Edward (Ed) Dyck in 1861
Braun, Heinrich
Bom about 1830
Lived in Bergthal Colony, likely with his father
Came to Berdyansk certainly by 29 December 1852
Worked as a miller
Buhler, Bernhard Abraham
Bom 20 February 1834 in Prangenau, Molotschna
Parents Abraham Abraham Buller and his second wife (name not known) lived on Farm No 14
in Prangnau
Baptized 1854 in Prangenau
Married Anna Penner, who was bom 25 July 1838
Elected as minister of the Berdyansk Mennonite Church 27 July 1864
Children:
Abraham - bom 5 March 1858, immigrated to USA with parents in 1877, died
21 January 1917 in Buhler, Kansas
Bernhard - bom 28 December 1867, baptized 5 October 1895, married Margarethe Fast,
died July 1925
Maria - bom 8 February 1870 in Berdyansk, immigrated to USA with parents in 1877,
married Johann J Wall 19 June 1892, Johann was co-founder of Wall-Rogalsky
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Milling Company of McPherson, Kansas, 5 children, Johann died
25 September 1916, Maria died February 1958
Elisabeth - bom 6 January 1873, immigrated to USA with parents in 1877, married
Peter W Enns, Peter died 10 September 1957 in Newton, Kansas, Elisabeth
died 11 October 1965
Johann - bom 5 May 1876, immigrated to USA with parents in 1877, died 25 April 1933
David - bom 12 April 1880, died 25 January 1930
Margaret - bom 8 June 1881, married Abram Dyck, 2 children, died 27 September 1954
Anna - bom 24 July 1883, married Jacob Cornelius Regier 27 April 1906 in Buhler,
Kansas, 4 children, died 28 January 1941 in River Junction, Florida
Migrated to the USA, departing from Antwerp on board S S Vaderland, arriving in
Philadelphia 29 June 1877
Settled in Buhler, Kansas
Buhler, Jakob Abraham
Bom 1824 in the Chortitza Colony
Parents Abraham Abraham Buller and his second wife (name not known) lived on Farm No 14
in Prangenau
Married Justina Klassen
Her parents were Abraham Peter Klassen and Maria Froese
Moved from Grossweide to Berdyansk by 1847
Children:
Maria - bom 8 July 1847 in Berdyansk, married Abraham Penner 4 June 1868 in
Schoenfeld, Bergthal Colony
(see separate entry Abraham Penner)
Justina - bom about 1849
Owned a windmill in Berdyansk by 1850
Elected as minister in the 1850s
Active with Eduard Wuest, described as his “Jonathan”
Owned his own house
Rented a grain warehouse from Cornelius Janzen in September of 1852
Died suddenly of typhoid fever 1855 while away from Berdyansk
Claassen, Berhard
Bom 7 November 1817 in Heubuden, West Prussia
Parents Peter Claassen and Margarete Wiebe
Bernhard was the tenth of 12 children
Married Anna Reimer, who was bom about 1827
Migrated from Prussia to the Molotschna between 1835 and 1850
Listed in Rudnerweide No 37 with the family of Abraham Wiebe
By 1852 he moved from Rudnerweide to Berdyansk
In Berdyansk worked at manufacturing bricks
Children:
Margareta - bom 12 August 1849
Jakob - bom 20 January 1851 in Rudnerweide
77
Bernhard died 26 September 1853, presumably in Berdyansk
Claassen, Cornelius
Bom about 1818
Father Abraham Claassen lived in Grossweide, Molotschna Farm No 15
Wife Anna - bom about 1823
Children:
Abraham - bom about 1842
Helena - bom about 1844
Johann - bom about 1847
Moved from Grossweide to Berdyansk by 1850
Owned a flour mill in Berdyansk by 1850
DeFehr, Johann
Bom 1834 in Tiegerweide, Molotschna
Married Sarah Steingart 13 March 1862
Children:
Johann - born 9 December 1862, married Anna (family name not known), 4 children
Franz - bom 5 March 1863, died 30 November 1864
Franz - born 11 November 1865 in Tiegerweide, married Elisabeth Dick 12 June 1887,
5 children, Elisabeth died, married Agatha Blatz, 13 more children, Agatha died,
married Evangeline, Franz died 24 March 1949 in Portland, Oregon
Sarah - born 21 February 1867 in Berdyansk, married Franz C Dick 6 September 1885
in Henderson, Nebraska, 10 children, Franz died 5 August 1935, Sarah died
1 March 1949, both in Henderson, Nebraska
The DeFehr family moved from Tiegerweide to Berdyansk between 1865 and 1867
Father Johann died 3 May 1867, likely in Berdyansk
Mother Sarah married Peter Dahlke, likely a widower with at least 3, possibly 5 children
Not known where this blended family lived
Migrated to the USA, they were aboard the S S Strassburg, departing from Bremen, arriving
in New York 2 July 1878
They settled in Henderson, Nebraska
Mother Sarah died 7 December 1879 in Henderson, Nebraska
Derksen, Jakob
Wife Margareta Dick
Son Nikolai - bom about 1895
Escaped to Constantinople by 19 January 1921
The brother of Jakob, Peter Derksen, lived in Post Ridge, Montana
Dick, Jakob
Wife Mrs Dick
In 1882 a development company was formed in Berdyansk to purchase land in other areas of
the country, presumably because of an expanding Mennonite population in that city
A number of families used this means to purchase land in Ogus-Tobe in the Crimea.
The Jakob Dicks were among these, probably moving in 1882 or shortly thereafter,
moving their entire property, including a mill
78
Dick, Peter Franz
Teacher Dick of Berdyansk was listed as a correspondent for Friedensstimme December, 1912
Graduate of the Ohrloff Zentralschule and the Halbstadt Pedagogical Institute
Short time at the Institute at Muristalden near Beme
Teacher at the Musterschule in Neuhalbstadt 1890-1903
After 1903 taught at the Mennonite school in Berdyansk
Later taught at elementary school in Johannesheim of the Schoenfeld Volost
Dirks, Anna
Bom about 1823, probably in Alexanderwohl, Molotschna
Parents Benjamin Georg Unrau and Ancke Freyen
Married Johann W Dirks; she died in Berdyansk
Dirks, David
Invited guest to the wedding of Heinrich Peter Bahnmann and Katharina Wiens on
11 January 1877
Dirks, Maria
Invited guest to the wedding of Heinrich Peter Bahnmann and Katharina Wiens on
11 January 1877
Doerksen, Elisabeth
Bom about 1894
Migrated from Berdyansk to Rosthem, Saskatchewan in 1925
Doerksen, H
Signed the letter of thanks for food packages written by Elder Leonhard Sudermann late 1922
Doerksen, Jakob
Bom about 1827
Married Elisabeth Epp in Blumenort, Molotschna
Children:
Agnes - bom 13 January 1862 in Berdyansk , married Peter Abraham Ediger
(see Peter Abraham Ediger for further details)
Margaretha - bom 15 February 1877 in Berdyansk, baptized 12 June 1894 in Berdyansk,
married Wilhelm Voth 26 November 1919 in Kaban, Crimea, he was a
minister of the Busau church
Invited guests to the wedding of Heinrich Peter Bahnmann and Katharina Wiens on
11 January 1877
Jakob died 1910, Ebenfeld, Crimea
Doerksen, Jakob
Owned a business selling equipment for the kitchen and the laundry room
Advertising equipment in 1905-15 in Christ/icher Fami/ienkalendar
Doerksen, Johann Jakob
In 1922 lived in Berdyansk; requested food packages via the Mennonitische Rundschau ,
31 May 1922
Address: Sadovaya Street, No 49
Looking for Gerhard and Dietrich Neufeld of Inman, Kansas
Wrote a report 17 June 1922 describing the famine conditions in Berdyansk
79
Signed the letter of thanks for food packages written by Elder Leonhard Sudermann in late
1922
Doerksen, Peter
Bom 1862
Married Aganetha Heinrich Epp 20 May 1887 in Blumenfeld, Schoenfeld Colony
She was bom 26 October 1864 in Blumenfeld
Her parents were Heinrich Epp and Aganetha Janzen
They first lived in Blumenfeld, Schoenfeld Colony, then moved to Berdyansk by 1891
Children:
Aganetha - bom 20 March 1888 , married Abram Epp 30 May 1914, had 3 children,
Abram Epp died 31 October 1918 (murdered) Aganetha married Johannes
Heinrich Thiessen, immigrated to Canada, had 1 child, Aganetha died
12 July 1966 in Leamington, Ontario
Sara - born 3 August 1891 in Berdyansk, married Peter Neufeld 17 June 1918, lived
in Maryevka where the first children were born, immigrated to Boissevain,
Manitoba, where the last 3 children were bom
Not sure if the next 3 were bom in Berdyansk
Justina - bom 18 March 1894
Katharina - bom 26 January 1896
Maria - bom before 1900
Wife Aganetha died 30 January 1900
Peter married Elisabeth Albrecht 17 June 1900, she died 23 November 1904
Peter married Katharina Epp
Moved to Maryevka by 1906, where the next child Agatha was bom
Had another 4 children, Peter, Anna, Heinrich and Jacob
Father Peter died 6 April 1918, Pohonov Estate, Barvenkovo region
Dueck, Cornelius
(The history of this family is confusing at best; have tried to be as accurate as possible)
Bom 29 July 1837
Married Katharina Koop 13 February 1868
Probably first lived in Elbing region, West Prussia, then briefly in Berdyansk, then back to
Elbing region, then immigrated to USA, possibly in 1891
Children:
Jacob - bom 23 November 1868, married Anna Vogt, 4 children, died
24 November 1901
Maria - bom 7 May 1871 in Berdyansk, married Johann W Baergen, immigrated to
Kansas, 7 children
Cornelius - bom 8 March 1875, immigrated to the USA, married Anna Regier,
7 children, Anna died, married Maria Regier, another 4 children, Cornelius
died 11 March 1916
Aganetha - bom 12 August 1876. married Jacob .1 Vogt, 9 children, died
15 December 1964
Katharina - bom 15 March 1880, married Peter F Boese, 7 children, died
80
10 January 1958 in Lamar, Colorado
Not sure where Cornelius, Aganetha and Katharina were bom
Bernhard - bom 20 July 1881 in Elbing region, West Prussia
Helena - bom 10 October 1883 in Elbing region, West Prussia
Dueck, David Johann
Formerly from Mariawohl, Molotschna
In 1922 lived in Berdyansk; requested food packages via the Mennonitische Rundschau ,
31 May 1922
Address: Vostotschnyy Prospect, No 14
Looking for Peter Abram Dueck of Los Angeles, California and Jakob Schroeder, address not
known
Dueck, Franz Isaac (sometimes spelled Dyck)
Bom 16 September 1874 in Berdyansk
Married Anna Neufeld 29 December 1905
She was bom 19 December 1882 in Rosenhof, Russia
Parents Johann Johann Neufeld and Katharina Wiens
Children:
Leopold - bom 1908, married Veronika Sudermann, 2 children
Victor - bom 21 May 1911 in Berdyansk, married Hedwig Unrau, 2 children
Arnold - bom 1914
Franz died 6 April 1920 in Berdyansk
Dueck, Gerhard
Grain merchant in Berdyansk, possibly in partnership with Isaak Dueck
Dueck, Isaak
(within one document it is spelled Dueck or Dyck)
Bom 3 February 1834 in Pordenau, Molotschna
Married Helena Dueck 15 March 1856 in Berdyansk
She was bom 3 September 1836
Parents Gerhard Franz Dueck and Anna Dyck
Children:
Helena - bom 5 November 1861 in Berdyansk, married Johann Fast 29 December 1884
in Berdyansk, moved to the Kuban
Children:
Alexander - bom 22 September 1890 in Alexanderfeld, Kuban
Franz - bom 16 September 1874 in Berdyansk
(see separate listing for Franz Isaac Dueck)
Isaak was a prosperous grain merchant in Berdyansk
Invited guests to the wedding of Heinrich Peter Bahnmann and Katharina Wiens on
11 January 1877
Mother Helena died 29 February 1908 in Berdyansk , Isaac died 12 April 1920
Dueck, Jakob
Invited guest to the wedding of Heinrich Peter Bahnmann and Katharina Wiens on
11 January 1877
81
Dueck, Jacob Johann
Bom 18 February 1884 in Muntau, Molotschna
Parents Johann Dueck and Justina Giesbrecht
Married Maria Willms 16 January 1912 in Berdyansk
She was bom in Berdyansk 6 September 1886
They probably lived in Neu Schoensee, Sagradovka
Children:
Walter - bom 27 March 1914
Victor - bom 18 January 1918 in Neu Schoensee, Sagradovka
Jacob - bom 8 June 1922
Helmut - bom 23 April 1924
Immigrated to Ontario, Canada in the 1920s
Father Jacob died 1 September 1858 in Virgil, Ontario
Maria died 25 December 1967 in Vineland, Ontario, complications of bums after a stove
exploded
Dueck, Johann
Invited guest to the wedding of Heinrich Peter Bahnmann and Katharina Wiens on
11 January 1877
Dueck, Mr
Wife Mrs Dueck
Son Isaac bom in Berdyansk
Married,
Isaac and his wife lived in Berdyansk
Daughter bom in Berdyansk, she married Peter Wiebe, who was bom in 1849,
had some children,
he died 1926 falling backwards off a wagon, probably breaking his neck
Duerksen, Jakob
From Berdyansk,
In 1922 in the Muntau hospital, having had an operation on 6 ribs
Hopes for recovery.
Remarks that he has not yet received food packages or a letter from his son in Shafter,
California
Duerksen’s children were doing very well; they had received many packages
Duerksen, Jakob
Refugee landed in Canada 2 February 1926, going to Laird, Saskatchewan
Dyck, Anna
Widow
In 1922 lived in Berdyansk; requested food packages via the Mennonitische Rundschau ,
31 May 1922
Address: Voronzovskaya Street, No 21
Looking for any friends
Signed the letter of thanks for food packages written by Elder Leonhard Sudermann in late
1922
82
Dyck, Franz
Wife Mrs Dyck
Franz was son of Isaak Dyck
Franz Dyck was a medical doctor, who opened up the Deutsches Krankenhaus in Berdyansk
Official opening was held 15 February 1913
Advertised in Der Botschafter 4 January 1914
Died in 1920
Dyck, Isaak
Father of Dr Franz Dyck
Died 1920
Dyck, Katharina
Signed the letter of thanks for food packages written by Elder Leonhard Sudermann late 1922
Dyck, M
Signed the letter of thanks for food packages written by Elder Leonhard Sudermann late 1922
Ediger, A P
One of the builders/owners of the Tokmak Railway
Was a director of a bank in Berdyansk
Ediger, Abram Salomon
Wife Mrs Ediger
His father was Salomon Peter Ediger
His son Heinrich Abram Ediger bom 6 November 1858
Abram taught school at Rosenhof Estate near Melitopol 1861-1867
Then moved to Berdyansk to start a business
Invited guests to the wedding of Heinrich Peter Bahnmann and Katharina Wiens on
11 January 1877
Ediger, Agnes Peter
Bom 10 April 1884, parents Peter Abraham Ediger and Agnes Doerksen
Migrated from Berdyansk to Rosthem, Saskatchewan in 1925
Ediger, Alexander Heinrich
(see separate biography)
Bom 1893 in Berdyansk
Parents Heinrich Abram Ediger and Emilie Friesen
He was likely the youngest of 3 sons
Graduated from the local classical Gymnasiun
Studied history and philology for 4 years at the University at St Petersburg
Married Katharina (Katie) Dyck in 1918 in Berdyansk
She was bom 24 July 1896 in the Crimea
Her parents were Jacob Dyck and Sara Reimer, estate owners
After Communist takeover in the region the newly married couple escaped to the Crimea
on an ice-breaker; in the Crimea it was somewhat more peaceful
Teaching in Gymnasium in a suburb of Simferopol
Children:
Victoria Dagmar (daughter) - bom 1922; she was known as Dagmar
83
Harry - born 1926
1922 chosen as a minister by his home congregation of Berdyansk
1923 invited to be a teacher and preacher in Liebenau, Molotschna
As minister he soon had to give up teaching
Was accomplished musician, composer, conductor and pianist
1925 ordained elder of the Schoensee congregation, by David H Epp
Earnest Christian, remarkable ability, very friendly
1925 elected chairman of the KfK (Kommission fuer Kirchliche Angelegenheiten)
As chairman he often had to represent Mennonite churches in their dealings with the
Communist government, frequently travelling to Kharkov and Moscow
1925 to 1928 editor of Unser B/att, the only Mennonite publication under Communist rule
1933 arrested and sent to prison camp in Murmansk
Released after 2'A years, then arrested again
With his wife sent to eastern Siberia
Separated from wife in 1938, and never seen again
1940 wife released, she eventually found their children in Leningrad
Wife came to Canada in 1949, settling in Kitchener, Ontario
She died 6 September 1998 at the age of 102
Both children survived
Ediger, Anna
Teacher in Berdyansk in April 1923
She wrote a letter of thanks to the American Mennonites who had contributed food and
clothing through the MCC
Letter was published in the book by D M Hofer
Ediger, Heinrich Abram
(see separate biography)
Bom 6 November 1858 in Gnadenfeld, Molotschna
Son of Abram Ediger, who was the son of Salomon Peter Ediger
Abram Ediger taught school at Rosenhof 1861- 1867, then moved to Berdyansk to
start a business
Heinrich graduated from the Gnadenfeld Zentra/schu/e, one of his teachers being David Goerz
He himself was a teacher for some time
Married Emilie Friesen
Children:
Theodor - historian
Harry - lawyer
Alexander - bom 1893, teacher, minister and musician
(see separate listing and biography of Alexander Heinrich Ediger)
Established a print shop and bookstore in Berdyansk
Together with David Epp he was one of the editors of Der Botschafter
On city council for many years, mayor of Berdyansk for several years
Responsible for establishing a Mennonite school in the Makorty suburb
Danish Consul for several years, until at least 1918
84
Was a bank director
One of the investors in the Tokmak Railway
Elected to the executive of the shareholders at a meeting in Berdyansk 21 June 1911
Contributed 3 rubles to the Bethcmia Heilsanstalt in October 1911, and 25 rubles to
establish a bursary in honour of Minister Abraham Goerz in 1913
When the Red Army was bombarding Berdyansk during the Civil War, Heinrich, his family
and other foreigners escaped to the Crimea on an ice-breaker. He departed for Germany
soon after. His left his wife in the Crimea saying that she could not have tolerated the
cold temperature during the trip
Reached Germany by 16 February 1921; address at the time Hofpiz Mohrenstrasse, Berlin
Wrote a book: Erinnerungen aus meinem Leben (1927)
Also wrote article: Meine Schulzeit bei Lehrer Heinrich Franz, published in Der Bote, 1930
Died in Karlsruhe, Germany 23 June 1943
Ediger, Peter
Invited guest to the wedding of Heinrich Peter Bahnmann and Katharina Wiens on
11 January 1877
Ediger, Peter Abraham
Bom 21 February 1860 in Gnadenfeld, Molotschna
Parents Abraham Abraham Ediger and Sara Helena Hausknecht
Married Agnes Doerksen 12 June 1883 in Berdyansk
Her parents were Jakob Doerksen and Elisabeth Epp
Children: (many bom in Berdyansk)
Agnes - bom 10 April 1884 (see separate listing)
Peter - bom 17 August 1885
Nikolai - bom 25 March 1887
Elisabeth (Lisa) - bom 1 March 1889
Sara - bom 25 October 1890
Maria - bom 18 December 1892
Abraham - bom 27 December 1894
Anna - bom 8 August 1896 in Halbstadt, Molotschna
Margaretha - bom 31 October 1898
Agathe - bom 18 August 1900
Emilie - bom 24 September 1902
Helena - bom 21 March 1904
Sometime before 1896 the family must have moved to Halbstadt
Sometime before his death father Peter moved back to Berdyansk
Father Peter Ediger died 1940 in Berdyansk
Ediger, Peter Abram
Went to Ohrloff Zentralschule, then Halbstadt Zentralschule 1883-86
After that Gymnasium in Berdyansk
One of the investors in the Tokmak Railway
Elected to the executive of the shareholders at a meeting in Berdyansk 21 June 1911
In 1922 lived in Berdyansk, requested food packages via the Mennonitische Rundschau,
85
31 May 1922
Address: Voronzovskaya Street, No 87
Looking for Hermann E Sudermann of Newton, Kansas and A B Buhler of Buhler, Kansas
Ediger, Th (possibly Theodor)
Was the agent through whom a number of people contributed to the Bethania Heilanstalt,
October 1911, totaling 23 rubles
Eitzen, Daniel Daniel
Bom about 1814
Married Helena Fast, bom about 1817, daughter of Johann Fast
Children:
Johann - bom 21 August 1838 in Berdyansk
Married Helena Eitzen, bom 5 May 1840 in Orechov
Her parents Komelius Daniel Eitzen and Anna Peter Niessen
Johann was a partner in a flour mill in Orechov
Probably lived most of the time in Schoenwiese, 13 children
Helena died 16 May 1914, Johann died 22 October 1915
Anna - bom 27 August 1840 in Berdyansk
Married Julius Siemens 16 June 1859
He was bom 15 June 1836, parents Julius Peter Siemens and Katharina
Anna Entz
Lived in Schoenwiese, 10 children
Julius died 13 December 1917 in Schoenwiese, Anna died 23 January 1920
Daniel - born about 1843, married Helena Neufeld, lived in Schoenwiese, 2 children,
David - born about 1845
Helena - bom about 1850
Eitzen, David Jakob
Bom about 1857
Parents Jakob Eitzen and Agatha Fast
Married Helena Friesen about 1880, she was bom about 1860
Children:
Bertha
Agatha - bom 14 November 1889, married Jakob Sawatzky, died 31 October 1966 in
Merced, California
Maria - bom 5 May 1891 in Berdyansk, baptized 7 June 1908 in Hoffnungsau, Kansas,
married Peter H Janzen 5 May 1909, died 16 January 1963 in Newton, Kansas
Sometime after 1891 and before 1908 the family migrated from Berdyansk to Kansas
Eitzen, Jakob
Bom 1823
Wife Agatha Fast
Bom 18 January 1824 in Rudnerweide, Molotschna
Parents Johann Isaak Fast and Anna Ellert
Moved from Schoenwiese, Chortitza Colony, to Berdyansk in 1846
Jakob was involved in some type of agricultural work
86
Children:
Johann
Peter
Helena - born 15 March 1853 in Berdyansk
Baptized Pentecost 1872, married Heinrich H Quiring 12 February 1874,
he was bom 1850, 11 children
Jakob - bom about 1855
David - bom about 1857 (see separate listing David Jakob Eitzen)
Gerhard
Agathe - bom 18 August 1869, baptized 29 May 1889
Kornelius
Bertha
Enns, Abram
Invited guest to the wedding of Heinrich Peter Bahnmann and Katharina Wiens on
11 January 1877
Enns, Elisabeth (Lisa)
Bom 1 February 1903 in Berdyansk
An orphan of unknown parentage, raised by an Enns family
Had a brother George (Gerhard?) and 2 sisters
Married Heinrich Isbrand Rempel
Immigrated to Saskatchewan, Heinrich died 15 March 1967 in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan,
Elisabeth died June 1974 in St Catharines, Ontario
Enns, Isaak
Owned an oil mill in Berdyansk by 1852
Enns, Jakob
Bom about 1778
Married Margaretha, a widow, whose first husband was Peter Hiebert
Children:
Jakob - bom 1803
Married Margaretha Wiebe who was bom 1805
Children:
Jakob - bom 21 December 1843 in Berdyansk (see separate listing)
Father Jakob’s wife Margaretha died 16 May 1868
Jakob married again, Widow Penner
Jakob’s third wife was his maid, Katharina (Katie)
Jakob died 1908
Abraham - bom 1805
Married Elisabeth Toews who was bom about 1805
Had 5 children, Abraham, Anna, Elisabeth, Margaretha, Katharina
Not known where they lived
Both parents Jakob and Margaretha Enns died and were buried in Berdyansk
Enns, Jakob
Bom 21 December 1843 in Berdyansk
87
Mamed Maria Sommerfeld 9 February 1865, she was born 29 January 1841 in Tokmak
Her parents were Heinrich Heinrich Sommerfeld and Margaretha Esau
Children:
Margaretha - bom 28 November 1865, likely in Berdyansk, died 1 March 1867
Maria - bom 4 June 1867, likely in Berdyansk, died 1 August 1868
Jakob - bom 31 January 1869 in Berdyansk, married Elisabeth Schroeder
21 November 1891, 8 children, died 8 January 1959 in Newton, Kansas
Maria - born 10 March 1871 in Berdyansk, married Johann Schroeder 12 October 1890,
2 children, husband died 27 August 1916, married Jacob J Unruh 23 January 1923
Margaretha - bom 10 December 1872 in Berdyansk, married Johann J Voth
12 October 1890 (double wedding with Maria?), 10 children.
Margaretha died 25 August 1947
Johann died 5 May 1954 in Kansas
Heinrich - bom 12 October 1874 in the USA, married Maria Brandt, 6 children
Abraham - bom 28 December 1876 in the USA, married Maria Schmidt, 7 children
Elisabeth (Lizzie) - bom 28 November 1880 in Marion County, Kansas, married
Jakob J Schmidt, 4 children
The family immigrated from Berdyansk to the USA aboard the 5 S Holsatia , leaving from
Hamburg and Le Havre, arriving in New York 1 July 1874
They then settled in Kansas. Jakob died 31 October 1910 in Goessel, Kansas
Maria died 27 September 1920 in Canton, Kansas, of heart failure
Enns, Peter
Bom 10 September 1832 in Tiege, Molotschna
Baptized 1853 in Ohrloff, Molotschna
Married Elisabeth Reiiner, who was bom 19 September 1835
The family lived in Berdyansk, where some, probably all of the first 13 children were bom
Elisabeth died either late 1881 or early 1882
Peter then married Eva Berg 14 February 1882, not sure where they lived
They had 7 additional children, the first 2 bom in Russia
Peter and Eva immigrated to the USA in 1885, moving from place to place, finally settling
in Newton, Kansas; the last 5 children were bom in Newton, Kansas
Children:
Abraham - bom 1855
Peter - bom 10 April 1857 in Berdyansk, married Gertruda_22 February 1877,
lived in Neu Schoensee, Sagradovka Colony, 2 children
Jacob - bom 1858
Isaak - bom 1860
Johann - bom 1861, died “young”
Heinrich - bom 1862
David - bom 13 August 1863 in Berdyansk, baptized 1883 in Tiege, Molotschna,
married Helena Grunwald 25 January 1895 in Newton, Kansas, 3 children,
died 8 July 1935
Johann - bom 1866, died “young”
88
Johann - bom about 1868
Elisabeth - born about 1869
Gerhard - bom about 1871
Diedrich - bom about 1881
Anna - bom about 1882 (this may actually be the same Anna as the next child on the list
The following are the children of Eva Berg
Anna - bom 11 September 1882
Katharina - bom 16 October 1884, said to be bom in Schoensee, Prussia
Margaretha - bom 2 March 1886
Cornelius - bom 23 April 1887
Agnetha - bom 6 April 1889 in Newton, Kansas
Sara - bom 8 April 1893 in Newton, Kansas
Maria - bom 7 December 1900
Father Peter died 11 August 1904 in Newton, Kansas
Eva joined the Salem Evangelical Church 14 May 1922, so she lived at least until then
Ennsz, Heinrich
Bom about 1829
Lived in the Bergthal Colony
Had close relatives in the Bergthal Colony
Came to Berdyansk by at least 1851
Worked as a miller
Entz, Isaak Abraham
Bom 27 June 1807, possibly in Schoenwiese
Parents Abraham Entz and Katharina Martens
Married Margaretha Harder in 1831, likely in Schoenwiese, Chortitza Colony
Children:
Jakob - bom 13 December 1831, died 22 January 1837
Abraham - bom 25 December 1832
Married Agatha Thiessen 25 November 1854
She was bom 29 December 1837 in Elbing, West Prussia
Children:
Abraham - bom about 1857
Margaretha - bom about 1859
Isaak - bom about 1865
Jakob - bom about 1866
Agathe - bom about 1867
Maria - bom about 1869
Aganetha - bom 1873
Johann - bom 1874
Migrated from Berdyansk to Kansas in 1874
Father Abraham died 23 November 1875 in Herington, Kansas
Mother Agatha died 13 June 1913 in Inman, Kansas
Isaak - bom 18 January 1835, died 7 February 1835
89
Margaretha - bom 21 July 1836 in Schoenwiese, Chortitza Colony
Married Heinrich C Janzen 6 September 1855, he was also from Schoenwiese
Immigrated to USA, Mountain Lake, Minnesota
Margaretha died 28 June 1888 in Mountain Lake
Katharina - bom 31 January 1839, died 2 November 1841
Jakob - bom 27 July 1843, married Maria Hildebrand in 1865, 5 children who died in
infancy and youth, immigrated to USA in 1877
Maria - bom 4 April 1847, died 15 May 1922
Katharina - bom 25 May 1852, died 22 October 1859
Mother Margaretha died 7 February 1873, likely in Berdyansk
Father Isaak died 11 September 1894 in USA
Epp, David
Bom 3 December 1886 in Ekaterinoslav
Married Mathilda Fast in Ekaterinoslav
She was bom 14 July 1885 in Ekaterinoslav
Her parents were Johann J Fast and Katharina Isaak
Baptized 17 May 1904 in Chortitza, Chortitza Colony
Not sure when they moved to Berdyansk
Children:
David - bom 1912, died as an infant
Heinrich - bom 28 January 1925 in Berdyansk, married Hildegard P Dyck 31 July 1954
in Winnipeg, Canada, Heinrich worked for the Canadian Broadcasting
Corporation, 4 children
Father David attended university in Germany, was exiled, died 1937
Mathilda migrated to Canada, likely after World War II, died 13 February 1957 in Winnipeg
Epp, David Heinrich
Bom 30 May 1861 in Chortitza, Chortitza Colony
Father Heinrich Dietrich Epp
Educated in the local Dorfschule and then the Chortitza Zentra/schule
Taught at Osterwick and Rosental 1878-1899
In 1883 he married Anna Hamm, she was bom in 1864
The couple had 3 sons, one of whom died in early childhood
1886 minister of the Chortitza Mennonite congregation
1899 pastor of the Ekaterinoslav congregation
1905 began publication of Der Botschafter in Ekaterinoslav
1912 moved to Berdyansk, where he continued as editor of Der Botschafter and did church
work. In the publication he was helped and supported by H A Ediger
For many years chairman of the Kommission fuer Kirchliche Angelegenheiten (K/K) which was
organized in 1910
1912 became editor of the Mennonitisches Jahrbuch
1914 Der Botschafter was closed down by the government, likely in October
House was robbed in 1920
1922 appointed as a member of the committee to distribute food packages to the Mennonites
90
in Berdyansk
He himself also requested food draft via Mennonitische Rundschau 7 June 1922
Address at the time was Kolonie 2te Linie No 4
Signed the letter of thanks for food packages written by Elder Leonhard Sudermann in late
1922
1923 the Lichtenau congregation asked him to minister to their disorganized congregation
1927 called to be elder of his home Chortitza Mennonite congregation. This he did despite
increasing difficulty. Resigned in 1931, but continued to work privately.
David suffered a number of strokes, and died 30 May 1934
Anna, who had also been ill, died shortly after David, also in 1934
David H Epp was best known for his writings, and his compassionate church work
Some of the books were:
Die Chortitzer Mennoniten (1889)
Kurze Erklaerung und Erlaeuterungen zum Katechismus (1896)
J Cornies, Zuege aus seinem Leben und Wirken (1909)
Die Memriker A nsiedlung (1910)
He also wrote articles for many periodicals: Mennonitische Blaetter, Odessaer Zeitung,
Mennonitisches Jahrbuch, Unser Blatt, Der Bote, and of course his own publication
Der Botschafter
Epp, Marie
Bom about 1920
Son Harry age 4; not sure where he would have been bom, but not likely in Berdyansk
On ship Marine Tiger arrived in Halifax, Canada on 29 October 1948
Esau, Gerhard Jakob
Formerly from Altona, Molotschna
In 1922 lived in Berdyansk; requested food packages via the Mennonitische Rundschau ,
31 May 1922
Address: Sadovaya Street, No 57
Looking for Nikolai, Dietrich, Johann, and Gerhard Dueck, formerly Elisabetthal, Molotschna,
now in Minnesota
Esau, Heinrich
Bom 5 February 1820 in Gross Lesewitz, Grosswerder, West Prussia
Parents Heinrich Esau and Gertrude von Riesen
Married Helena von Bergen
She was bom 8 November 1817 in Aschbuden, West Prussia
Children:
Heinrich - bom 10 March 1847 in Ellerwald, Prussia
Johann - bom 1849 in Duerbeck, Prussia
After the birth of the children the family must have moved to Berdyansk
Father Heinrich died 1865 in Berdyansk
Helena died before 1869, also in Berdyansk
Esau, Jacob
He married Maria Sudermann
91
Children:
Maria - bom 7 February 1868 in Berdyansk, married Tobias Boese 11 June 1885
Ewert, Wilhelm P
Bom 11 May 1814 Montauerweide, Prussia
Wife Anna Doerksen - bom 20 July 1817
Married about 1834
Moved to Berdyansk sometime before 1855
Children:
Wilhelm (Willie)
Gerhard - bom 28 September 1855 in Berdyansk, married 20 November 1883, children
Jacob and Woldemar, baptized in Kuban Colony 1887, immigrated to the USA in
1923, died 30 December 1926
Invited guests to the wedding of Heinrich Peter Bahnmann and Katharina Wiens on
11 January 1877
Ewert, Wilhelm Wilhelm
Bom about 1848
Could be the son of Wilhelm P Ewert
Wife, Mrs Ewert
He lived in Berdyansk in 1923
Had uncles Gerhard Neufeld and Dietrich Neufeld, originally from Rudnerweide, Molotschna,
who had immigrated to North America
Had at least 1 daughter, Mrs Isaak Isaak Wiens, who in 1923 lived in Nikolaifeld,
Station Suvorovskaya
Falk, Jakob
Requested food draft via Mennonitische Rundschau 7 June 1922
Address: 3te Linie in Berdyansk
Falk, Mr
Married Anna, who was bom 7 May 1900 in Berdyansk
Child Helena - born 2 June 1927 in Berdyansk
Anna was living at 7 Linie No7 in Berdyansk in 1942
Falk, Mr
Wife Mrs Falk
Daughter Anna bom 1899 in Berdyansk
She lived in Berdyansk at Sredniy 18 in 1942
It is possible that Falk was her married name
Falk, Mr
Wife Mrs Falk
Daughter Helena - bom 14 March 1838 in Berdyansk, she married Abram Johann Unger,
who was bom 2 November 1835 in the Chortitza Colony, lived in Sergeyevka,
5 children, both Helena and Abram died in Sergeyevka, Fuerstenland Colony
Fast, Agatha (Agathe)
Nee Lenzmann
Widow
92
Requested food draft via Mennonitische Rundschau 7 June 1922
Signed the letter of thanks for food packages written by Elder Leonhard Sudermann in late 1922
Fast, David
Bom about 1806
Father Johann Fast, of Farm No 7 of Rudnerweide, Molotschna
Wife Katharina - bom about 1814
Children:
Johann bom about 1844
Maria - bom about 1850
Moved from Rudnerweide, Molotschna; elected as deacon for the Berdyansk church in 1848
Owned a flour mill in Berdyansk by 1852
Invited guests to the wedding of Heinrich Peter Bahnmann and Katharina Wiens on
11 January 1877
Fast, Elisabeth
Widow
Requested food draft via Mennonitische Rundschau 7 June 1922
Address: 5 Linie No 3
Looking for Abraham Fast, formerly of Grossweide, Molotschna
Fast, Gerhard
Bom about 1819
Stepfather Abraham Komelsen lived in Fuerstenwerder, Molotschna Farm No 26
Wife Katharina - bom about 1827
Children:
Katharina - bom about 1825
Anna - bom about 1849
Gerhard - bom about 1851
Moved from Fuerstenwerder to Berdyansk by 1852
Gerhard worked as a miller
Fast, Gerhard Gerhard
Formerly from Bytschak
In 1922 lived in Berdyansk; requested food packages via the Mennonitische Rundschau,
31 May 1922
Address: Italyanskaya Street, No 32
Looking for Franz A Klassen, Los Angeles, California
Fast, Maria D
Children:
Viktor
Annemarie
Migrated from Berdyansk to Canada, landing in Quebec 15 October 1926; they then
settled in Laird, Saskatchewan
Fast, Mr
Son of Johann Fast
Graduate of school in Alexanderfeld, then of city school in Berdyansk ( Realschule ?)
93
Third teacher, hired in 1904, of the four-class school in Alexanderheim
His father was teacher there from 1887 until at least 1910
Fast, Peter Peter
Graduate of the Ohrloff Zentralschule , then of the Halbstadt Pedagogical courses
Village teacher for a few years
Studied privately, passed the exams at the historical-philiosophy faculty at the University of
Moscow
Taught Russian language at the Halbstadt Zentralschule 1895-98
Worked for the finance ministry for a number of years, then taught German at the
Gymnasium in Feodosia
In 1909 became director of the Realschule established by A A Neufeld in Berdyansk, after
the unexpected death of Neufeld
In late 1911 he received a citation, Order of the Holy Anna, Third Class
Died in 1916
Federau, Anna
Signed the letter of thanks for food packages written by Elder Leonhard Sudermann in late 1922
Federau, Heinrich
Bom 11 January 1879 in Berdyansk
Married Maria Neufeld, who was bom 13 March 1885 in Ladekopp, Molotschna
First lived in Ufa where 2 children were born
The by 1913 moved to Svistunovo, Barnaul, Asiatic Russia, where another 9 children
were bom
Moved to Schamanavke near the Chinese border
17 December 1929 the whole village fled across the Amur River ice to Harbin, where they
stayed for 4 years
Federau, Mr
Wife Mrs Federau
Daughter Elisabeth - bom 7 July 1871 in Berdyansk
She lived in Berdyansk at Sadovaya 59 in 1942
It is possible that Federau was her married name
Fehderau, Aaron
Married Anna Willems
Invited guests to the wedding of Heinrich Peter Bahnmann and Katharina Wiens on
11 January 1877
Son Salomon - bom 19 February 1878 in Berdyansk, married Maria Rempel, who was bom
4 February 1880 in Gnadenfeld, Molotschna, lived in Gnadenfeld, then Nikopol, then
again Gnadenfeld, 4 children, Salomon died 14 April 1920 in Gnadenfeld,
Maria died 28 February 1962 in Chilliwack, BC
Fehderau, Aron Jakob
In 1922 lived in Berdyansk; requested food packages via the Mennonitische Rundschau ,
31 May 1922
Address: Vostotschnyy Prospect, No 11
Looking for Wilhelm Salomon Fehderau
94
Fehderau, Franz J
Married Aganetha Mierau, who was bom 10 May 1873
Her parents were Jacob Mierau and Susanna Loewen
They first lived in Berdyansk, then by 1901 had moved to Ogus-Tobe, Crimea
Children:
Abram - bom 30 June 1894 in Berdyansk, married Gertruda Dick 28 August 1918,
2 children
Maria - bom 1 September 1901 in Ogus-Tobe, Crimea
Fehderau, Heinrich Jakob
In 1922 lived in Berdyansk; requested food packages via the Mennonitische Rundschau ,
31 May 1922
Address: Kolonie 2te Linie, No 7
Looking for Wilhelm Salomon Fehderau
Signed the letter of thanks for food packages written by Elder Leonhard Sudermann in late 1922
Fehderau,Jakob Johann
Married Elisabeth Willms
Invited guests to the wedding of Heinrich Peter Bahnmann and Katharina Wiens on
11 January 1877
Children:
Jakob - bom 1 October 1865 in Berdyansk
Married Maria Bahnmann 6 April 1890
She was bom 1 January 1867, parents Peter P Bahnmann and Maria Martens
They had 6 children, all bom on the Marianovka Estate
Jakob died 15 July 1922 in Halbstadt
Maria died 11 February 1946 in Kitchener, Ontario
Fehderau, Jakob Johann
Married Justina Konrad
Children:
Johann (Hans)
Jakob
Anni - bom 1914
Peter
Lived in Crimean village Beck-Balatschi
1926 sold and bought farm in Ogus-Tobe, 5 km from the Sea of Azov
Moved to Berdyansk in 1936 with youngest 2 children
Left Berdyansk in 1941 with outbreak of the war
Jakob and Justina died in 1947, Justina of starvation
Fehderau, Johann
Invited guest to the wedding of Heinrich Peter Bahnmann and Katharina Wiens on
11 January 1877
Fehderau, Salomon
Invited guest to the wedding of Heinrich Peter Bahnmann and Katharina Wiens on
11 January 1877
95
Franz, Jakob Jakob
In 1922 lived in Berdyansk; requested food packages via the Mennonitische Rundschau ,
31 May 1922
Address: Vostotschnyy Prospect, No 33
Looking for Isbrand Friesen of Inman, Kansas
Friesen, Abraham Cornelius
Married Helena Abrahams
Daughter Katharina (Katie) - bom 30 November 1882 in Berdyansk, Katharina and parents
immigrated to Kansas in 1891, baptized in Buhler Kansas 6 September 1906, went to
Bethel College, taught in country school, later worked for publisher, married
Heinrich (Henry) Peter Krehbiel 26 November 1936 in Hutchinson, Kansas, he died
2 December 1940
Friesen, Cornelius
Elected minister of the Berdyansk congregation 27 July 1864
Invited guest to the wedding of Heinrich Peter Bahnmann and Katharina Wiens on
11 January 1877; he died a few years after 1877
Friesen, David Peter
Formerly of Altona, Molotschna, in 1922 lived in Berdyansk
Requested food packages via the Mennonitische Rundschau 31 May 1922
Address: Vosnessenskaya Street, No 55
Looking for Johannes Mueller, formerly from Switzerland
Signed letter of thanks for food packages written by Elder Leonhard Sudermann in late 1922
Friesen, Heinrich Kornelius
Bom 15 November 1835 in Berdyansk (one source lists 24 September 1835)
Parents Kornelius and Helena Friesen, who were married about 1828
13 children, the first 4 likely bom in Schoenwiese, Heinrich was the fourth child was bom
in Berdyansk, moved to Pastwa, Molotschna Colony in 1836
Married Sarah Jantzen 14 November 1857 in Gnadenfeld
She was born 1838 in Gnadenfeld, Molotschna
Her parents were Johann Jantzen and Maria Sudermann
After the marriage they lived in Berdyansk; Heinrich’s occupation is not known
Children: (13, all bom in Berdyansk)
Heinrich - bom 1859, died 1881
Maria - bom 1860, died 1861
Johann - born 1862
Kornelius - bom 1864, died 1865
Helena - bom 1866, died 1900
Sarah - bom 1868
Abraham - bom 1870
Peter - bom 1871, died 1928
Maria - bom 1873
Gerhard - bom 1875, married Maria Dick, daughter of Jakob Dick and Katharina Wiebe
of Tiege, Molotschna, first lived in Tiege, then by 1903 moved to the newly
96
founded Terek Colony, had 2 children, Gerhard (1901) and Jacob (1903), Gerhard
died in a livestock robbery in 1903 when he attempted to intervene and was shot by
the Cossack robbers, Maria returned to her family in the Molotschna, married
Johann Wiebe, they had 9 more children
Katharina - bom 1878, died 1878
Anna - bom 1879
Katharina - bom 12 December 1881, baptized 14 May 1898 in Ogus-Tobe, Crimea,
married Johann Rempel 27 May 1908 in Ogus-Tobe, he was born
22 December 1876 in Paulsheim, Molotschna, she transfered from the Gnadenfeld
to the Busau Church in the Crimea, 5 children, all bom in the Crimea
Heinrich and Sarah were invited guests to the wedding of Heinrich Peter Bahnmann and
Katharina Wiens on 11 January 1877
Heinrich and Sarah moved to the Crimea in 1883, likely to Ogus-Tobe
Heinrich died 1884 in the Crimea
Sarah likely remarried; she died 5 February 1919 in the Crimea
Friesen, Heinrich Bernhard
Wife Mrs Friesen
Both shot and killed in 1920
Friesen, Hermann
Invited guest to the wedding of Heinrich Peter Bahnmann and Katharina Wiens on
11 January 1877
Friesen, Isbrand isbrand
Parents Isbrand Isbrand and Margarita Friesen, from Bolwerk, Elbing Region, West Prussia
Settled in Tiegenhagen, Molotschna in 1805, when young Isbrand was about half a year old
Father was age 35 at the time, a carpenter, mother was age 35
Lived in Tiegenhagen Farm No 4 in 1835
Originally moved from Tiegenhagen, Molotschna to Berdyansk likely about 1840
Wife Selma - bom about 1821
Children:
Amalia - bom about 1839
Hermann - bom about 1841
Louise - bom about 1842
Selma - bom about 1845
Malvine - bom about 1849
Emil
Built the first treadmill in Berdyansk in 1840
In 1848, under the supervision of Pordenau Church Elder Heinrich Toews, he was elected as
minister of the Mennonite Church, he then led worship services on alternate Sundays.
Sold his treadmill during the Crimean War
Chairman of the Agricultural Society of Berdyansk
President of the Berdyansk administration for 9 years
For 18 years director of the bank of the city of Berdyansk
Honourary judge
97
By 1870 he no longer considered himself to be a Mennonite, having withdrawn from the
Mennonite church
Invited guest to the wedding of Heinrich Peter Bahnmann and Katharina Wiens on
11 January 1877
Died 1883
Friesen, J
Wife Mrs Friesen
Daughter Emilie, who married Heinrich Abram Ediger, probably about 1885
Friesen was a wealthy mill owner
Friesen, Jacob
Wife M
Daughter Anna
Lived in Wiesenfeld, and in 1919 were driven from their home
In 1923 were in Berdyansk, obviously as refugees
They wrote a letter of thanks to David M Hofer and the MCC for the help they had received
Friesen, Kornelius
Wife Helena, married about 1828, 13 children, lived in Schoenwiese, Berdyansk, Pastwa
First 3 children likely lived in Berdyansk for some time
Fourth child Heinrich - bom 15 November 1835 in Berdyansk
(see separate listing for Heinrich Kornelius Friesen)
Friesen, Martha
Parents lived in Halbstadt
Good friend of Katharina Dyck (later wife of Alexander Ediger)
Attended college in Kharkov together, transferred to Berdyansk in 1918, because it was safer
Friesen, Mr
Wife Mrs Friesen
Son Gerhard - bom 19 October 1875 in Berdyansk
He was baptized 24 May 1892 in Gnadenfeld
Married Maria Dick 3 August 1900
At first lived in Tiege, Molotschna, where first child Gerhard was bom, then moved to Sulak,
Terek Colony, where second child Jacob was bom
Gerhard was killed in Sulak 15 September 1903
Friesen Mr
Wife Mrs Friesen
Daughter Maria - bom 25 April 1889 in Berdyansk
She lived in Berdyansk at Vaksalia 28 in 1942
It is possible that Friesen was her married name
Friesen, Peter
Invited guest to the wedding of Heinrich Peter Bahnmann and Katharina Wiens on
11 January 1877
Funk, Johann
Invited guest to the wedding of Heinrich Peter Bahnmann and Katharina Wiens on
11 January 1877
98
Gerbrandt, Bernhard
Formerly of Gnadental, Molotschna, therefore probably a refugee
Requested food draft via Mennonitische Rundschau 7 June 1922
Address: Voronzovskaya Strasse No 85
Looking for Bernhard Gerbrandt, Buhler, Kansas
Goerz, David
Bom 2 June 1849 in Neu-Bereslav near Berdyansk
Parents Heinrich and Agnes Goerz
Attended Vereinsschule in Ohrloff, Molotschna
At the age of 18 was baptized, and began to teach in Berdyansk
Teacher in the Mennonite elementary school in Berdyansk 1869-1873
Married Helene Riesen 1870 or 1871
Immigrated to USA in 1873, where he continued as a teacher, edited a paper, managed a
publishing house, and was secretary of the Mennonite Board of Guardians, was one
of the founders of Bethel College Corporation
Known as a great organizer, inspirer and leader
Died 7 May 1914 in California
Goossen, Heinrich
Bom about 1817
Father Franz Goossen of Farm No 25 of Marienthal, Molotschna
Wife Maria - bom about 1818
Son Heinrich - born about 1839
Moved from Marienthal, Molotschna to Berdyansk by 1852
Worked as a tailor
Gorsching, Jakob
Bom 15 September 1846
Married Katharina Schmidt 18 November 1871
She was born 10 January 1852
Her parents were August Schmidt and Helena Bretkowski
Children:
Katharina - bom 16 December 1875 in Berdyansk, baptized May 1894, married
Jacob J Schmidt 2 February 1896 in Alexanderwohl, Marion County, Kansas,
7 children, died 18 November 1942 in Cordell, Oklahoma
Elisabeth
Maria
Karolina
Jakob
Peter
Alfred
The family certainly lived in Berdyansk around 1875. It is not known how many of the
children besides Katharina were bom there
Migrated to the USA some time after 1875, likely settling in Oklahoma
Wife Katharina died 29 June 1909
99
Jakob married Pauline Jaworsky 13 March 1910
Jakob died 5 June 1927
Guenther, Dietrich
Married Maria Janzen, sister of Margaretha (wife of Nikolai Wiens)
Her parents Heinrich Peter Janzen and Anna Hamm, later owners of Estate Silberfeld
Dietrich was a grain broker; the Guenthers were long-time residents of Berdyansk
Were invited to the wedding of Heinrich Bahnmann and Katharina Wiens on 11 January 1877
Children:
Maria - born about 1845, married Jakob P Bahnmann 19 February 1870 in the Berdyansk
(see Jakob, son of Peter Jakob Bahnmann)
Dietrich - married Anna Klassen about March 1871 in Berdyansk
Children:
Michael - died April 1879
Son - died April 1879
Son - died February 1879
Wife Anna died February 1879
Dietrich married his cousin Maria Wiens 12 July 1879 (see page 148)
She was bom 5 December 1855
Her parents were Nikolai Johann Wiens and Margaretha Janzen
Children:
Nikolai - bom 1880, married, large family by 1927
Daughter - bom 1881, died 1882
Dietrich - born 1882, died 1883
Maria died 28 December 1882
Heinrich - bom 26 October 1858 in Berdyansk
Married Elisabeth Reimer, bom 28 February 1859 in Ohrloff, Molotschna
Probably lived in Ohrloff, 8 children bom 1881-1893
Immigrated to Canada in 1924
Heinrich died 18 August 1932 in Winnipeg
Elisabeth died 9 August 1940 in Sardis, B C
Child -
Father Dietrich died 13 January 1878, Mother Maria died July 1906
Guenther, Mr
Owner of Guenther & Co, which sold rope made of sisal and manila
Advertised in Christlicher Familienkalendar in 1912
Hamm, Peter
Bom 22 March 1817 in Usnitz, Prussia
Parents Peter Hamm and Anna Dyck
Married Helena Penner 30 November 1847
She was bom 5 October 1826 in South Russia
Her parents Bernhard Penner and Helena Hiebert
Not sure where the couple lived, but likely by the mid 1860s in Berdyansk
Children: (some of whom may have been bom in Berdyansk, most probably lived there)
100
Peter - bom 28 January 1849, died 26 March 1849
Peter - bom 4 April 1850
Helena - bom 1 January 1855
Johann - bom 29 September 1857, died 7 October 1857
Johann - bom 22 September 1858
Gerhard - bom 14 February 1860
Jacob - bom 18 October 1862
Bernhard - bom 18 February 1865
Father Peter died 2 August 1867 in Berdyansk
Mother Helena died 12 December 1916 in Rural Municipality of Rhineland, Manitoba
Harder, Abraham Jakob
Bom 19 October 1823, probably in Schoenwiese, Chortitza Colony
Parents Jakob Abraham Harder and Margaretha Graewe
Moved from Schoenwiese to Berdyansk, presumably with family, in 1836
Worked as some type of a manager
Married Anna Enns 6 July 1846, she was bom about 1826
Had 10 children: only 4 specifically named
Anna - bom 21 May 1849, married Wilhelm Rempel 1 November 1867 of the Bergthal
Colony, immigrated to Mountain Lake, Minnesota
Abraham - bom about 1850
Margaretha - bom about 1852
Maria - bom 2 November 1856, married David H Epp
(see separate listing under Maria Harder)
Other 6 children likely lived in Berdyansk
Anna Enns died 24 November 1869
Abraham married Anna Flaming 1870
3 additional children
Anna Flaming died, sometime before 1879
Abraham married Aganetha Toews 9 September 1879
Had another 3 children
Father Abraham Jakob Harder died 15 July 1883
Harder, Barbara
Invited guest to the wedding of Heinrich Peter Bahnmann and Katharina Wiens on
11 January 1877
Harder, Jakob Abraham
Bom 4 August 1789 in Marienwerder, West Prussia
Married Maria Graewe November 1809
She was bom 15 January 1786 in Marienwerder, West Prussia
Family migrated from Prussia to Schoenwiese, Chortitza Colony, in 1818, then to Berdyansk
likely in 1836, Jakob worked at various trades
Children:
Jakob - born 15 August 1810 in Prussia, likely to Schoenwiese with parents in 1818,
married Katharina Hooge 16 March 1841,3 children, probably moved to Bergthal
101
Colony, then to East Reserve, Manitoba
Johann - bom 9 March 1812 in Marienwerder, West Prussia, married Anna Falk
21 February 1833 in Schoenwiese, moved to Bergthal Colony, 7 sons, died
19 April 1849 in Bergthal Colony
Margaretha - bom 15 October 1815 in Marienwerder, West Prussia
(see separate listing Margaretha Entz)
Maria - bom about 1817, died young, before 1819
Maria - born 22 August 1819, baptized 1839, married Jacob Harder 24 September 1840,
10 children, lived in Rueckenau, Molotschna, immigrated to Mountain Lake,
Minnesota, died 15 November 1891
Abraham - born 19 October 1823, likely in Schoenwiese
(see separate listing Abraham Jakob Harder)
Mother Margaretha died 1 August 1844 in Berdyansk
Father Jakob Abraham Harder died 21 March 1857 in Berdyansk
Harder, Maria
Bom 2 November 1856 (other sources 2 November 1853 and 11 February 1856)
Parents Abraham Jakob Harder and Anna Enns
Married David Heinrich Epp, who was bom 18 February 1854 in Rosenort, Molotschna
His parents were Heinrich Heinrich Epp and Justina H Willms
Married about 1880
Lived first in Tiegerweide, Molotschna, then in Fischau
Had 7 children
David died 13 September 1909
Harder, Nikolai
Invited guest to the wedding of Heinrich Peter Bahnmann and Katharina Wiens on
11 January 1877
Hausknecht, Anna Johann
Bom 9 July 1802 in Goldschaar, West Prussia
Parents Abraham Sudermann and second wife Anna von Riesen
Fourth child of Abraham Sudermann
Baptized 11 June 1821 in Heubuden
Married Kaspar Adrian Hausknecht in Goldschaar
He was bom 12 October 1790 in St Gallen, Switzerland, he was a teacher
Children:
David - bom about 1833
Sara - bom 1842 Insel Chortitza, Chortitza Colony
Sara died 1898 in Halbstadt, Molotschna
Family migrated to Insel Chortitza sometime before 1842
Husband Kaspar Hausknecht died 27 May 1848 Insel Chortitza
Wife Anna at some point moved to Berdyansk
She died in Berdyansk in 1873
Heidebrecht, D
Signed the letter of thanks for food packages written by Elder Leonhard Sudermann in late 1922
102
Heidebrecht, Gerhard Peter
In 1922 lived in Berdyansk; requested food packages via the Mennonitische Rundschau ,
31 May 1922
Address: Voronzovskaya Street No 88
Looking for Peter Peter Heidebrecht
Signed the letter of thanks for food packages written by Elder Leonhard Sudermann in late 1922
Heidebrecht, J
Signed the letter of thanks for food packages written by Elder Leonhard Sudermann in late 1922
Heidebrecht, Kornelius
Son of Peter Jakob Heidebrecht
Previously from Schoenfeld, Alexandrovsk region
In 1922 lived in Berdyansk, requested food packages via the Mennonitische Rundschau ,
31 May 1922
Address: Voronzovskaya Street, No 88
Looking for Peter Peter Heidebrecht
Signed the letter of thanks for food packages written by Elder Leonhard Sudermann in late 1922
Heidebrecht, Susanna (Suse)
Signed the letter of thanks for food packages written by Elder Leonhard Sudermann in late 1922
Probably the wife of one of the other Heidebrechts listed
Heinrichs, Jakob
Bom about 1832
Stepfather Jakob Berg of Farm No 2 of Marienthal, Molotschna
Moved from Marienthal, Molotschna to Berdyansk by 1852
Worked as miller’s assistant
Heinrichs, Jakob Jakob
Bom 5 September 1888, probably on the Korneyevka Estate
Married Susanna Neufeld 13 October 1918 in Waldheim, Molotschna
She was bom 19 February 1894 in Waldheim, Molotschna
She was the daughter of Isaak Isaak Neufeld and Anna Koehn
Requested food draft via Mennonitische Rundschau 7 June 1922
Address: Selyonaya Strasse No 36, Berdyansk
Looking for Abram David Koehn, California
Susanna (Susi) signed the letter of thanks for food packages written by Elder Leonhard
Sudermann in late 1922
Children:
Elfriede - bom 28 January 1922 in Berdyansk
She married Artur Kerber, who was also bom in Berdyansk 18 September 1923,
lived in Tschelyabinsk, Kazakhstan, 4 children
Albert - bom 1 March 1925 in Berdyansk
He married Raisa Simanova, 3 children, lived in Solikamsk, Ural Mountains
Rita - bom 19 November 1928 in Berdyansk
She married Friedebert Schuller, 4 children
Jakob died 13 January 1938, Susanna died 24 November 1941, both in exile
103
Hiebert (also called Huebert), David
Bom about 25 August 1837
Parents Jakob Hiebert and Maria Dueck
Married Sara Penner, who was bom about 1840
Moved from Grossweide, Molotschna to Berdyansk in 1860 and purchased a treadmill
Elected as deacon of the Berdyansk Mennonite Church 27 July 1864
Invited guests to the wedding of Heinrich Peter Bahnmann and Katharina Wiens
11 January 1877
In 1869 he built a steam-powered flour mill
Children:
Agatha - born about 1860, probably in Berdyansk
Sara - born 8 November 1861 in Berdyansk, married Isaak A Bargen 28 December 1886
in Mountain Lake, 12 children, died 2 June 1934 in Mountain Lake
Katharina - bom 24 March 1866 in Berdyansk, married Wilhelm P Rempel
31 December 1889, 5 children, died 7 May 1955, likely in Mountain Lake
Jakob - bom about 1868 in Berdyansk
Elisabeth - bom about 1871 in Berdyansk
Anna - bom about 1873 in Berdyansk
The whole family migrated to the USA, boarding the S S Vaderland in Antwerp, landing in
Philadelphia 29 June 1877
They then settled in Mountain Lake, Minnesota
David died 5 August 1895 in Mountain Lake
Hiebert (also called Huebert), Dietrich
Invited guest to the wedding of Heinrich Peter Bahnmann and Katharina Wiens on
11 January 1877
Hiebert (also called Huebert), Gerhard
Bom 10 July 1839, baptized 1859
Married Susanna Enns who was bom about 1842
Probably from the start of the marriage or soon after moved to Berdyansk
Children:
Jakob - bom 27 May 1863, probably in Berdyansk,
baptized in Mountain Lake, Minnesota 1885
Elisabeth - bom 6 January 1866 in Berdyansk,
baptized in Mountain Lake, Minnesota 1885
married Heinrich P Goertz 1886, 3 children
Gerhard - bom 13 September 1868 in Berdyansk
baptized 9 May 1902, married Helena Penner, 3 children,
died 1934 in Winnipeg
David - bom 24 March 1870 in Berdyansk, died as an infant
David - bom 20 April 1871 in Berdyansk, married Marie W Dirks 19 June 1898
in Mountain Lake, 5 children
Susanna - bom 6 April 1873
Migrated to the USA: boarded the S S Kenilworth in Antwerp, landing in New York
104
17 July 1876, settling in Mountain Lake, Minnesota
Children bora after the migration:
Johann - bom 12 November 1876 in Mountain Lake
Peter - bom 10 July 1879 in Mountain Lake
Wife Susanna died
Gerhard married Gertruda Nickel ini 882
Children of the second marriage:
Helena - bom September 1883
Gertruda - bom 18 March 1885
Anna - bom 20 December 1886
Hiebert (also called Huebert), Johann
Invited guest to the wedding of Heinrich Peter Bahnmann and Katharina Wiens on
11 January 1877
Hiebert (probably also called Huebert), Peter
Bom 18 May 1823 in Margenau, Molotschna
Married Anna Janzen 1854 in Russia
She was bom 1829 in Russia
Children:
Peter - bom 20 September 1856, said to have been bom in Baalau, Prussia, married
Rosa Gunter, 9 children, died 12 January 1904 in Dickinson County, Kansas
Jacob - bom 23 November 1859 in Berdyansk, married Amanda Weylan, 5 children,
Amanda died, married Anna Bartel, Jacob died 30 August 1935 in Kansas
Heinrich - bom 9 January 1862 in Berdyansk, married Anna Goerz, died 1 April 1917
in Bruderthal, Kansas
Nikolai (Nickolaus) - bom 4 October 1864 in Berdyansk, married Martha Goertz,
12 children, died 29 January 1943 in Inglewood, California
Abraham - bom 22 February 1873 in Berdyansk, married Lena Enns, who died, then
married Mariah Peck, 3 children, Abraham died in 1961
The family immigrated from Berdyansk to the USA aboard the S S Holsatia departing
Hamburg and Le Havre, arriving in New York 1 July 1874
They settled in Kansas
Anna died November 1881 in Morris County, Kansas
Peter died 24 February 1901 in Woodbine, Kansas
Hildebrand, Gerhard
Invited guest to the wedding of Heinrich Peter Bahnmann and Katharina Wiens 11 January 1877
Hildebrand, Mr
Wife Mrs Hildebrand
Daughter Natalia bom 26 August 1904 in Berdyansk
She lived in Berdyansk at Arbeiterdig 4 in 1942
It is possible that Hildebrand was her married name
Hildebrandt, Anastasia
Bom 1897 in Berdyansk, could have been a sister of Friedrich
Lived at N B Spuck 1 in Berdyansk in 1942
105
Hildebrandt, Mr
Wife Mrs Hildebrandt
Son Friedrich - bom 21 April 1884 in Berdyansk, living at Schkolnaya 4 in Berdyansk
in 1942
It is possible that Anastasia was also their daughter
Hildebrandt, Nikolai
Bom 1917 in Berdyansk , possibly the son of Friedrich and Mrs Hildebrandt
Lived at N B Spuck 10 in Berdyansk in 1942
Huebert, Agatha
Bom 28 November 1901 in Spat, Crimea
Parents Jakob Huebert and Margaretha Loewen
Married Johann (Hans) Strauss
Died 1940 in Berdyansk
Huebert, Nikolai (Klaas)
Formerly from Berdyansk , died 1914
Apparently there had been advertising looking for his children at the time
Letter to the editor of the MR in 1925, relatives wondering if some of the inheritance is still
available
Isaak, Anna
Widow
Requested food draft via Mennonitische Rundschau 1 June 1922
Address: Sobatschya balka No 27
Looking for C Sudermann, Reedley, and Thomas Koop, Kansas
Isaak, David
Bom about 1829
Father Abraham Isaak, of Farm No 8, Tiege, Molotschna
Moved from Tiege, Molotschna to Berdyansk by 1852
Worked as clerk for a merchant
Isaak, Franz Jr
Requested food draft via Mennonitische Rundschau 7 June 1922
Address: Blischniye Makorty
Isaak, Philipp Abraham
Bom 14 April 1825 in Tiege, Molotschna
Father Abraham Isaak, of Farm No 8 in Tiege, Molotschna
Married Helena Martens
She was bom 28 June 1826
Parents Jacob Paul Martens and Katharina Driedger
Moved from Tiege, Molotschna to Berdyansk by 1850
Philipp worked as clerk for a merchant
Children:
Philipp - bom 20 April 1850 in Berdyansk
Married Katharina Penner from Waldheim, Molotschna, 9 children
Died 22 May 1937 near Omsk, Russia
106
Abraham - bom 1857 in Blumenort, Molotschna
The family moved to Blumenort by 1857
Father Philipp died in Blumenort 5 October 1859
Jantzen, Abraham
Appointed as minister in the Berdyansk church by Gnadenfeld Mennonite Church in 1881
Assaulted, late October 1906. One evening 2 men demanded to talk to him. When he came out
to them they shot him. One bullet went into his abdomen and likely lodged in his
spinal cord. His prognosis was thought to be hopeless
Jantzen, Abr
Signed the letter of thanks for food packages written by Elder Leonhard Sudermann in late 1922
Jantzen, Elise
Bom 10 November 1860 in Orechow, Savitaya, Amur Region , mother died 5 days later
Parents Johann Jantzen and Elisabeth Sudermann
Elisabeth was the daughter of Herrmann Sudermann, older brother of Leonhard
Abraham Sudermann
She was accepted as foster daughter into the home of Leonhard Abraham Sudermann and his
wife Maria and educated by them
Not sure when she entered the home
Immigrated to the USA with the Sudermanns in August 1876
Seems to have initially lived with the Sudermanns in Whitewater, Kansas
Married Gerhard Claassen 1 April 1880 in Whitewater, Kansas
7 children between 1881 and 1896
Elise and her husband were included in the thanks that Leonhard gave at various celebrations
She was present at Leonhard Sudermann’s deathbed 26 January 1900
Died 10 March 1931 in Whitewater, Kansas
Jantzen, Johann
Bom 30 March 1809 in Neunhuben, West Pmssia
Parents Gerhard Jantzen and Anna Epp
Married Maria Sudermann 14 April 1835 in Goldschaar, West Pmssia
Her parents were Abraham Sudermann and his second wife Anna von Riesen
She was the ninth child of Abraham Sudermann
Initially lived in Goldschaar, then by 1837 had migrated to Gnadenfeld, Molotschna
Family probably continued to live in Gnadenfeld where Johann died 15 December 1864, and
Maria died 11 February 1899
Had 12 children at least 2 of which had connections with Berdyansk
Children:
2. Abraham - bom 2 March 1837 in Gnadenfeld, married Helena Mierau, probably lived
in Berdyansk, died 2 December 1906 in Berdyansk
3. Sarah - bom 15 November 1838 in Gnadenfeld, married Heinrich Komelius Friesen,
they lived in Berdyansk, had 13 children,
1883 moved to Crimea (see listing of Heinrich Komelius Friesen)
Janz, Isaak Sr
Requested food draft via Mennonitische Rundschau 7 June 1922
107
Address: Blischniye Makorty
Janzen, Abram
Invited guest to the wedding of Heinrich Peter Bahnmann and Katharina Wiens on
11 January 1877
Janzen, Abram
Wife Mrs Janzen (nee Willms)
Children
Abram was banished by 1920, and not heard from
His wife was the daughter of P Willms
In 1920 doing well
Janzen, Cornelius
(see biography of Cornelius Janzen)
He changed the spelling of his name to Jansen when he immigrated to the USA
Bom 2 July 1822 in Tiegenhof, West Prussia
Married Helena von Riesen, bom 1 December 1822 in Schidlitz, West Prussia
Children: (Margaretha bom in Schidltz, the rest in Berdyansk)
Margaretha - bom 12 February 1849
Peter - bom 21 March 1852
Anna - bom 23 March 1856
Johann - bom 16 October 1857
Helena - bom 14 November 1858
Heinrich (renamed Cornelius when they migrated to the USA)
Grain merchant
Prussian Consul for several years
One of the enthusiastic advocates of immigration to the USA in the 1870s
Expelled from Russia in 1873
Arrived in Canada, the following year to the USA
Eventually lived in Beatrice, Nebraska, died there 14 December 1894
Wife Helena died 2 December 1897, also in Beatrice, Nebraska
Janzen, Cornelius
Invited guest to the wedding of Heinrich Peter Bahnmann and Katharina Wiens on
11 January 1877
Janzen, David David
Formerly lived in Muntau, Molotschna
In 1922 lived in Berdyansk; requested food packages via the Mennonitische Rundschau ,
31 May 1922
Address: Vosnessenskaya Street, No 51
Looking for August Kofeld and David Schroeder of Lehigh, Kansas
Janzen, H
One of the investors involved with the Tokrnak Railway
Was at the shareholder meeting held in Berdyansk 21 June 1911
Was nominated, but not elected into the executive
May have been the H Janzen who together with D Wiens was part owner of the
108
Wiens and Janzen Rope Factory
They eventually sold out to Peter Riediger
Janzen, Heinrich Jakob
Requested food draft via Mennonitische Rundschau 7 June 1922
Address: Italyonskaya Street No 36
Janzen, Jacob Kornelius
Bom 7 August 1890
Parents Cornelius Janzen and Anna Peter Janzen
Married Helena Wiebe, who was bom 1892
Children:
Elly (Elfrieda?) - bom 10 March 1920 in Berdyansk, married Heinrich F Goertzen,
3 children, lived in Winnipeg, Canada
Sophie - bom 22 January 1926 in Berdyansk, married Heinrich Bestvater, 3 children,
then married Jacob Neufeld
Helena died 1948 in Guestraw, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern
Janzen, Johann
Bom about 1831
Lived in the Bergthal Colony, likely in the home of his father
Left Bergthal probably 18 November 1851, worked as a miller in Berdyansk
Janzen, Kornelius
Owned a house in Berdyansk
Possibly same person made request for food draft via Mennonitische Rundschau 7 June 1922
Looking for Heinrich Janzen, Mountain Lake, Minnesota
Signed letter of thanks for food packages written by Elder Leonhard Sudermann in late 1922
Janzen, Michael Heinrich
Bom about 1819, probably in Schoensee, Molotschna
Parents Heinrich Peter Janzen and Anna Hamm
Heinrich and Anna Janzen later owned Estate Silberfeld
Married Margaretha_
Children:
Anna - married Aaron Martens
Helena - married Aaron Martens
Johann (Hans)
Cornelius
Hermann
Jacob
Heinrich
Peter - bom in Gnadenfeld, Molotschna, married Maria Comies, who was bom
14 July 1853 in the Taschtschenak region
The family lived in Berdyansk at least for some time in early 1877. Michael was one of the
guests invited to the wedding of Heinrich Sudermann and Katharina Wiens
11 January 1877
Some of the children undoubtedly lived in Berdyansk as well
109
Janzen, Mrs
Widow, husband’s name was Abraham
In 1922 lived in Berdyansk; requested food packages via the Mennonitische Rundschau ,
31 May 1922; Address: Vostotschnyy Prospect, No 17
Looking for Gerhard Janzen
Janzen, P
Represented Berdyansk at a meeting of the Forstei committee which met 4 May 1911 in the
Chortitzer Gegietsamt. At the same meeting J F Matthies represented the Berdyansk
region estate owners
Kaethler, David
Invited guest to the wedding of Heinrich Peter Bahnmann and Katharina Wiens on
11 January 1877
Kerber, Reinhard
Requested food draft via Mennonitische Rundschau 7 June 1922
Address: Gostinaya Street No 60
Looking for Abraham Penner, Mountain Lake, Minnesota
Deacon of the Mennonite Church in late 1922
Signed letter of thanks for food packages written by Elder Leonhard Sudermann late 1922
Ketler, Jakob
Bom about 1815
Wife Helena - bom about 1821
Children:
Katharina - bom about 1840
Helena - bom about 1842
Elisabeth - born about 1845
Anna - bom about 1846
Maria - bom about 1848
Eva - bom about 1850
Moved from Kronsweide, Chortitza Colony to Berdyansk in 1845
Jakob worked as a miller
Klassen, Anna
Good friend of Katharina Wiens
Participated in the wedding celebrations 11 January 1877
Klassen, Cornelius
Invited guest to the wedding of Heinrich Peter Bahnmann and Katharina Wiens on
11 January 1877
Klaasen, Dr
Wife Mrs Klassen
Both shot and killed in 1920
Klassen, Jakob
Came from Schoeneberg, Chortitza, went to Kommerzschule
Apparently when he went back home he was considered to be too educated to be a minister,
so he left his home village
110
Klassen, Johann Gerhard
Bom 9 November 1890 in Insel Chortitza, Chortitza Colony
Married Elisabeth Riediger 27 November 1916 in Berdyansk
She was bom 13 March 1897 in Berdyansk
Her Parents were Peter M Riediger and Susanna Heinrichs
They at first lived in Berdyansk, then moved to Kronsthal, Chortitza Colony by 1922
Children:
Elsa - bom 20 October 1917 in Berdyansk, died 1921 in Berdyansk
Irene - bom 25 August 1919 in Berdyansk, died 22 July 1973
Elsie - bom 20 July 1922 in Kronsthal, married, lives in Russia
Susanna - bom 11 September 1924 in Kronsthal
Aganeta - bom 20 August 1926 in Kronsthal
Anna - bom 9 June 1936, married, lives in Russia
Johann died 23 December 1959
Elisabeth died 29 January 1963
Klassen, Mr
Wife Mrs Klassen
Daughter Klara - bom 1896 in Berdyansk
Lived at Vostotsch Prospect 19 in Berdyansk in 1942
Klassen, Sara
Good friend of Katharina Dyck (later wife of Alexander Ediger)
Attended college in Kharkov together, then transferred to Berdyansk in 1918, because it was
thought to be safer
Koop, Thomas
Invited guest to the wedding of Heinrich Peter Bahnmann and Katharina Wiens on
11 January 1877
Krueger, Bernhard
Bom 16 January 1921 in Millerovo
Registered as living at Sobomaya 1 in Berdyansk in 1942
Lehn, Elisabeth (Liese)
Maiden name Ediger, bom in the Molotschna
Teacher training in Berdyansk
Parents moved to Crimea in 1912, so she went to Crimea for holidays
1918 moved to Femheim, Crimea, where she taught 3 years
Then to Spat, then last year in Okretch
Played a part in starting a school, where Johann Lehn was the director
Lenzmann, Hermann August
Bom 21 December 1847, likely in Gnadenfeld
Son of Elder August Lenzmann of Gnadenfeld
Secondary education under Heinrich Franz, who was to become his father-in-law
Married Helene Franz
She was daughter of Heinrich Franz and Agatha Sudermann
Taught elementary school in Berdyansk in the 1860s
111
1868-1872 attended Theological Seminary in Barmen, Germany
Thereafter Teachers College in Neuwied
1873-1881 taught at Gnadenfeld Zentralschule, except 1875 when he studied at the
University of Tuebingen
1881-1898 taught at Halbstadt Zentralschule
1898-1907 again taught at Gnadenfeld Zentralschule
1907 established printing press in Tokmak, published many books
Contentious in his career as teacher, rigid and strict
In later years a recluse, embittered
Heinrich Goerz called him “One of our most learned educators”
Died 5 November 1924 in Halbstadt
Loewen, D
Invited guest to the wedding of Heinrich Peter Bahnmann and Katharina Wiens on
11 January 1877
Lohrenz, Heinrich
Bom 10 April 1838
Married Katharina Berg
She was bom 13 December 1860 in South Russia
Died 10 September 1875 in South Russia
Probably was a carpenter
Moved to Berdyansk some time before 1866
Children:
Katharina - bom 3 January 1866 in Berdyansk
Baptized 30 May 1887 in Henderson, Nebraska
Married Johann J Quiring 9 October 1887 in Henderson, Nebraska, 11 children
Died 1950 in Dallas, Oregon
Jacob - bom 12 January 1868 in Berdyansk
Married Maria Goossen 22 November 1891 in Mountain Lake, Minnesota
Lived in Mountain Lake, 8 children, died 25 April 1931 in Mennon, Saskatchewan
Maria - bom 1 October 1870 in Berdyansk,
Baptized 16 June 1889 in Henderson, Nebraska, married Abraham Voth,
8 children, lived for a while in Henderson, then Kremlin, Oklahoma
Died 29 March 1947 in Dallas, Oregon
Gertruda - bom 8 December 1871 in Berdyansk
Baptized 17 May 1891 in Henderson, Nebraska
Married Klaas F Wiens 12 June 1897, 3 infant children died
Gertruda died 3 June 1901
Wife Katharina Berg died 10 September 1875 in Berdyansk
Heinrich Lohrenz then married Katharina Wiebe 12 February 1876
She was born 2 February 1851
Children:
Justina - bom 15 November 1876 in Berdyansk
Baptized 2 June 1895 in Henderson, Nebraska
112
Married Jacob F Wiens 2 Mar 1897, 6 children, died 1955 in Henderson
Sarah - bom 20 February 1883 in Henderson, Nebraska, married Bernhard Franz Wiens
4 children
Ordained city missionaries 1910, foreign missionaries in 1916
Bernhard died 1922 in China, Sarah died 1970
The family migrated from Berdyansk to Henderson, Nebraska on the S S Switzerland ,
departing from Antwerp, arriving in Philadelphia 24 June 1879
Heinrich died 6 April 1910 in Hampton, Nebraska, second wife Katharina died 28 May 1930
in Dallas, Oregon
Martens, Katharina (nee Esau)
Married Johann Johann Martens (his second marriage)
They had 6 additional children
Johann died 29 August 1893 in Simferopol
Katharina died 13 December 1897 in Berdyansk, but was buried in Simferopol
Martens, Mr
Wife Mrs Martens
Daughter Maria, bom 22 July 1898 in Berdyansk
Lived at Ukrainskaya 8 in Berdyansk in 1942
It is possible that Martens is actually her married name
Mathis, Maria (Micka)
Signed the letter of thanks for food packages written by Elder Leonhard Sudermann in late 1922
Matthias, Ludwig
Katharina (wife, then widow)
Sons:
Hermann
Otto
Established an agricultural machinery factory in 1884
Sometime before 1912 Ludwig died, and the factory was known as “Widow Matthias & Sons”
Likely the sons Hermann and Otto took over the management of the company
Mierau, Jacob Jacob
Bom 9 May 1803 in South Russia
Father Jacob Peter Mierau
Married Helena Wiens, 2 children bom in the Molotschna
Died 17 July 1879 in Berdyansk
Neufeld, Abraham Abraham
Bom 15 March 1862 in Fuerstenau, Molotschna
Parents Abraham Neufeld and Maria Fast
His father recognized his talents and sent him to the Ohrloff Zentralschule
Having completed the 3-year course in 2 years he entered Realschule in Berdyansk, supporting
himself by giving private lessons
After he was married he did journalistic work
Wife Mrs Neufeld
Children:
113
Vera
Eugene
1883 took philological course at the University of Odessa
Tended to study on his own; had an unusual capacity and love for work
After 3 years in Odessa he spent 2 years at the University of Berlin
For a number of years secondary school teacher in Berdyansk and Bachmut
1890-1905 was principal of the Chortitza Zentralschule
Entrusted with the supervision of the elementary and secondary school system in the Chortitza
Colony
Did some writing and lecturing, such as Die Chortitza Zentralschule 1842-1892, which was
published in 1893
Moved to Berdyansk to provide educational opportunities for his own children
Founded Realschule in Berdyansk in 1905
Died 9 January 1909 of a stroke
Neufeld, Gerhard Isaak
Bom 29 September 1885 in Waldheim, Molotschna
Married Susanna Heinrichs in 1912
She was bom 2 January 1892, daughter of Heinrich Heinrichs
Children:
Alice - bom 5 August 1914 in Waldheim, married Peter J Rempel 23 July 1938 in
Kitchener, Ontario, 2 children, died 9 February 1970
Areka - bom 16 September 1917 in Waldheim, married John P Goossen 31 July 1948 in
Kitchener, Ontario, 4 children
Arthur - bom 19 January 1920 in Berdyansk, married Frances Aileen Christensen
18 September 1948 in Toronto, Ontario, 2 children
The family left Waldheim sometime after 1917, likely as refugees, settling in Berdyansk
Gerhard died 28 September 1920, likely in Berdyansk
The remaining family likely immigrated to Canada in the 1920s, settling in Kitchener
Susanna died 13 February 1986 in Kitchener, Ontario
Neufeld, Isaak Peter
Bom 9 January 1820 in Ohrloff, Molotschna
Parents Peter Johann Neufeld and Susanna Pachma
Married Gertruda Dueck 24 July 1847
She was bom 27 June 1828
Parents Gerhard Franz Dueck and Anna Dyck
Moved from Ohrloff to Berdyansk
Children:
Anna - bom 15 October 1853
Gertruda
Isaak died April 1859 in Berdyansk
Wife Gertrude died 16 October 1899 in the Kuban Colony
Neufeld, Jakob
Invited guest to the wedding of Heinrich Peter Bahnmann and Katharina Wiens 11 January 1877
114
Neufeld, Mr
Wife Neufeld, Mrs
Daughter Katharina bom 7 May 1881 in Berdyansk
Katharina died 27 March 1935
Neufeld, Mr
Wife Neufeld, Mrs
Daughter Maria - bom 13 September 1882 in Berdyansk
Married Jacob Epp 20 November 1904 in Halbstadt, Molotschna
First lived in Lindenau, Molotschna, where Elisabeth and Anna were bom
Moved to Kuruschan, Molotschna where Maria, Bernhard, Helena, Elsa and Jacob
were bom
Moved to Tiegerweide where Irma and Heinrich were bom
Immigrated to Boissevain, Manitoba, where Margaretha was bom
Jacob died 23 September 1961, Maria Died 16 April 1966, both in Boissevain
Neufeld, Peter
Invited guest to the wedding of Heinrich Peter Bahnmann and Katharina Wiens on
11 January 1877
Neufeld, Peter (presumably another Peter Neufeld)
Invited guest to the wedding of Heinrich Peter Bahnmann and Katharina Wiens on
11 January 1877
Nickel, Isaac
Bom 11 August 1830 in Niedergruppe, Prussia
Parents Peter Nickel and Elisabeth Voth
Married Maria Quiring 9 October 1875
Children:
Maria - bom 27 October 1877 in Berdyansk, migrated to Inman, Kansas, married
Johann S Ediger 26 November 1895 in Inman, Kansas, Maria died 18 July 1938
in Dallas, Oregon
Peter - bom 23 February 1879, baptized 16 June 1901 in Buhler, Kansas, married
Sara Toews, died 2 April 1958 in Buhler, Kansas
Hermann - bom 1880, baptized in Inman, Kansas
Heinrich - bom 1882
Margaretha - born 14 Fwbruary 1889 in Pastwa, Molotschna, baptized 21 June 1908
in Inman, Kansas, married William P Schierling, died 29 December 1950
in Inman, Kansas
The family therefore moved from Berdyansk to Pastwa after 1877 and before 1889, then
Migrated to the USA before 1901, most settled in Inman, Kansas
Nikkei, Heinrich
Bom about 1823
Likely lived with his brother Peter Nikkei in Grossweide, Molotschna on Farm No 20
Moved from Grossweide to Berdyansk by 1852, worked as a miller’s assistant
Penner, Abraham
Bom 7 February 1849 in Schoenfeld, Bergthal Colony
115
Married Maria Buhler 4 June 1868
She was born 8 July 1847 in Berdyansk
Her parents were Jacob Buhler and Justina Klassen
The family first lived in Schoenfeld, then in Belo Sirko, then briefly in Berdyansk, where
Justina was born, then immigrated to Mountain Lake, Minnesota between July 1873
and Octoberl875, where their last 6 children were bom
Children:
Maria - bom 9 April 1869 in Schoenfeld, died 8 July 1870 in Belo Sirko, Russia
Peter - bom 2 April 1871 in Belo Sirko, Russia, immigrated to USA, married
Elisabeth Dickmann, 2 children, wife died, married Martha Richert, Peter
died 3 October 1949 in Newton, Kansas
Justina (Kate) - born 6 July 1873 in Berdyansk, immigrated to USA, married
Heinrich H Klein, 12 children, Justina died April 1963 in Stillwater, Minnesota
Abraham - bom 17 October 1875 in Mountain Lake, died later October 1875
Abraham - bom 13 March 1877 in Mountain Lake
Maria - bom 26 July 1879 in Mountain Lake, died 30 September 1880
Maria - bom 12 August 1881 in Mountain Lake
Helena - bom 10 December 1883 in Mountain Lake
Anna - bom 18 June 1890 in Mountain Lake
Mother Maria died 4 April 1911 in Mountain Lake
Father Abraham died 6 November 1940 in Mountain Lake
Penner, Augustine
Bom 17 October 1826 in Danzig
Married Jakob Klassen 4 July 1843 in Rosenort, Molotschna
Had 7 children bom in Elisabetthal, Molotschna 1844-1863
Last child Susanna was bom 23 September 1869 in the Kuban Colony 23 September 1869
Susanna married Wilhelm Jacob Rempel 24 January 1889 in Berdyansk
(see separate entry for Wilhelm Jacob Rempel)
The Rempels had 16 children, the last 3 definitely bom in Berdyansk 1907-1910
Mother Augustine Klassen (nee Penner) may have moved to Berdyansk with the Rempel
children. She died in Berdyansk 5 April 1905
Some of the Klassen children and the Rempels immigrated to Ontario, Canada, likely in
the 1920s
Penner, Helena Johann (nee Sudermann)
Bom 22 January 1806 in Goldschaar, West Prussia
Parents Abraham Sudermann and second wife Anna von Riesen
Seventh child of Abraham Sudermann
Married Aron Penner
Helena died 13 December 1871 in Berdyansk
No children recorded
Penner, Jakob
Bom about 1823
Wife Maria - bom about 1825
116
Moved from Einlage, Chortitza Colony to Berdyansk in 1843
He was in business
Invited guests to the wedding of Heinrich Peter Bahnmann and Katharina Wiens on
11 January 1877
Peters, Bernhard J
Bom 28 January 1861 in Mariawohl, Molotschna
Married Margaretha Toews 8 July 1884 in Schoenfeld
She was bom 31 March 1867 in Ohrloff, Molotschna
Bernhard taught school, first in Berdyansk until 1892 or 1893, then moved to Schoenfeld
Children:
Margaretha - bom 30 January 1886 in Berdyansk, married Julius Rempel 3 May 1908,
3 children, Julius died 1 May 1919 in Russia, Margaretha died 16 June 1977
in Chilliwack, BC
Peter - bom 14 November 1887 in Berdyansk, died August 1904 in Schoenfeld
Katharina - bom February 1890 in Berdyansk, married Nicholas A Rempel, lived in
Marienthal, Molotschna, where 7 children were bom, immigrated to Canada
in 1925, another 5 children bom in BC and Alberta
Gerhard - bom 4 October 1895 in Schoenfeld, died in Alberta
Anna - bom 13 November 1897, died in Ontario
Susanna - bom 27 October 1899, died in Alberta
Maria - bom 19 November 1901 in Schoenfeld, married David G Klassen
26 August 1922, 12 children, the first one bom in the Chortitza Colony, the other
11 in Alberta, Maria died 20 May 1994 in Linden, Alberta
Johann (Hans) - bom 13 February 1906, died 1923 in Gnadenfeld, Molotschna
Peters, Hermann Heinrich
Parents Heinrich H Peters and Maria Konracht
Married Sarah Hiebert 11 June 1882 in Berdyansk
She was bom 8 January 1861 in Berdyansk, baptized 20 August 1879
Migrated to the USA, settling in Mountain Lake, Minnesota
9 children, likely all bom in Mountain Lake
Hermann died 29 October 1921 in Mountain Lake
Sarah married again, Johann A Reimer 1 November 1936
Sarah died 8 April 1950 in Mountain Lake
Peters, Mr
Wife Mrs Peters
Son Wilhelm - bom 15 January 1892 in Berdyansk
Married Margaretha Warkentin, who was bom 5 July 1895
They likely lived in Neu Schoensee, Sagradovka Colony
Daughter Margaretha was bom 4 February 1920 in Neu Schoensee, Sagradovka,
she married Valentin Peters, 2 children who were bom in Didsbury,
Alberta
Quiring, Johann
Bom 16 March 1816 in Grossweide, Molotschna
117
Married Adelgrunde Claassen
She was born about 1816
Children:
Wilhelm - born 1 October 1849 in Berdyansk
Adelgrunde - bom 24 November 1851 in Berdyansk, baptized 1874 in Berdyansk,
married Franz Voigt 6 May 1881, 4 children, Adelgrunde died 24 January 1914
Johann - bom 24 November 1851, died 1 April 1852
Johann - bom 2 August 1854 in Berdyansk, married Anna Buller 1880, 12 children of
whom 6 died in childhood, Anna died 6 December 1930, Johann married
Maria Dalham, Johann died 14 November 1944 in Goessel, Kansas
Margaretha - bom 31 October 1856, died 28 March 1870
Rosalie (Rosa) - bom 23 November 1860
Mother Adelgmnde died 24 October 1866, according to one record in Ohra, Danziger
Niederung, West Prussia
The family immigrated to the USA aboard the S S Frisia, sailing from Hamburg and Le Havre
arriving in New York 22 July 1974; they settled in Kansas
Father Johann died 1 January 1898 in Hillsboro, Kansas
Quiring, Peter
Bom 16 December 1811 in Marienwerder, West Prussia
Married Margaretha Peters about 1835
She was bom 8 March 1813
Probably moved to Berdyansk shortly after the marriage
Children:
Peter - born 4 April 1839 in Berdyansk, died June 1841 in Berdyansk
Peter - bom 28 March 1842 in Berdyansk, died in 1843
Maria - bom 11 November 1842 in Berdyansk, baptized in Berdyansk, married
Isaac Nickel 9 October 1875 (see Isaac Nickel)
Invited guests to the wedding of Heinrich Peter Bahnmann and Katharina Wiens on
11 January 1877
Margaretha died 16 April 1892, likely in Berdyansk
Peter died 16 December 1899, likely in Berdyansk
Quiring, Wilhelm
Bom 6 November 1813 in Pietzckendorf, Prussia
Married Sara Sudermann (widow of Heinrich von Riesen) on 22 September 1853
She was bom 5 October 1826 in Kalthof bei Koenigsberg, Prussia
Her parents were Abraham I Sudermann and Elisabeth Woelke
Children:
Abraham - bom 8 July 1854 in Berdyansk, baptized 2 June 1873 in Berdyansk,
immigrated to the USA in 1873, married Anna Dyck 17 January 1878,
14 children, all bom in Newton, Kansas, Abraham died 30 September 1899
in Shelly, Oklahoma, Anna died 4 August 1915 in Newton, Kansas
Maria - bom 23 August 1856 in Berdyansk, baptized 25 May 1874 in Berdyansk,
immigrated to the USA, married Hermann Sudermann 21 January 1877 in
118
Summerfield, Illinois, 2 children, Hermann died 2 December 1915 in Newton,
Kansas, Maria died 4 April 1917 also in Newton, Kansas
Margaretha - bom about 1857
Elisabeth - bom 15 December 1858 in Berdyansk, married Johann David Penner on
28 December 1882, Elisabeth died 19 April 1886 in Newton, Kansas
The family immigrated, probably directly from Berdyansk to the USA before 1878, settling
in Newton, Kansas
Wilhelm died 23 September 1893 in Newton, Kansas
Sara died 4 December 1893, also in Newton, Kansas
Redekopp, Benjamin Benjamin
Bom 6 October 1904 in Petrovka, Orenburg, Russia
Married Antonia Kusmenko 14 June 1927 in Petrovka
Lived in Nikitovka in 1934, then Berdyansk in 1940, then to Mettman, Germany, by 1944
Children:
Alexander - bom 20 July 1934 in Nikitovka, married Marlene Joan Rempel
Laura - bom 26 September 1940 in Berdyansk, married Walter Unger, 3 children
Helena - bom 14 August 1944 in Mettman, Germany, married Ernest Edward Pauls,
3 children
Irene - bom 25 December 1945 in Mettman, Germany, married James David London
The whole family immigrated to St Catharines, Ontario after World War II
Benjamin died 16 February 1996
Redekopp, Peter B
Bom 30 August 1908 in Blitsnetze, South Russia
Married Katharina Ring in 1932 in Petrovka, Orenburg, Russia
She was bom 8 July 1908 in Petrovka, Orenburg, Russia
Her parents were Johann and Marie Ring
Children:
Benjamin - bom 22 April 1933 in Nikitovka, South Russia, married Delores Borisenko
10 May 1958 in Niagara-on-the-Lake, 3 children
Erna - bom 4 July 1938 in Berdyansk, married Victor Jakob Dick 19 April 1958 in
Virgil, Ontario, 5 children
Immigrated to Ontario after World War II
Peter died 31 December 1980
Regier, Katharina Nikolai (nee Wiens)
Also Bahnmann and Dyck
Bom 7 March 1859 in Berdyansk
Parents Nikolai Johann Wiens and Margaretha Janzen who lived and died in Berdyansk
Afflicted by severe eye condition (infection, possibly trachoma?) From the age of 7
Treated by Dr Renius in Melitopol 1867-68, then later in Kharkov and Odessa
Because of her eye condition she missed school, and was largely taught at home by her mother
May to August of 1874, with her parents and sister Maria, went on an extensive trip to Austria,
and Germany; eyes still “weak” so they saw an eye specialist in Germany
Mother Margaretha died 10 September 1874
119
Baptized by Elder Leonhard Sudermann in 1874
Married Heinrich Peter Bahnmann 11 January 1877; Peter was also from Berdyansk
The entire Mennonite population of Berdyansk was invited to the wedding, 60
households. Father Wiens wanted to make sure that no one was left out
The newly married couple lived in Rudnerweide, Molotschna for 3 years
Moved to Berdyansk in 1880, and lived there until 1892
Heinrich managed the estate of his brother, Peter Bahnmann for 2 years, then they moved to
Schoenfeld
Autumn of 1903 migrated to the USA together with 7 children, because their son Nikolai was
already studying there
Spent first winter in Mountain Lake, Minnesota
5 June 1904 arrived in Rosthem, Saskatchewan after a long hard journey
Established a farm between Waldheim and Laird
Husband Heinrich Bahnmann died 19 June 1906 in Waldheim
Katharina married Abraham Dyck 1 September 1912
Abraham was bom 5 June 1848; he was the widowed father-in-law of her daughter Anna
Abraham died 26 April 1914
Katharina married Elder Peter Regier 3 February 1916
Peter was bom 14 January 1851 in Kalteherberge, West Prussia
He was the widowed father-in-law of Katharina’s son Nikolai
The couple lived in his home in Tiefengrund, Saskatchewan
Peter died 11 April 1925
Katharina died 24 May 1936 in Laird, Saskatchewan
Children:
Margaretha - bom 28 October 1877, likely in Rudnerweide, moved to Berdyansk with
family in 1880, married Peter P Epp, 8 children, immigrated to Canada, died
21 September 1969 in Laird, Saskatchewan
Nikolai - bom 12 February 1879, in Rudnerweide, moved to Berdyansk with family in
1880, studied for some years in North America, married Klara Regier
26 March 1908, 12 children, lived in Saskatchewan, California and Kansas,
died 4 February 1945 in Vancouver BC
Maria - bom 23 April 1880 in Berdyansk, died 22 January 1881 in Berdyansk
Katharina - born 18 October 1881 in Berdyansk, died 18 October 1881 in Berdyansk
Maria - bom 21 April 1883 in Berdyansk, immigrated to Canada with parents in 1903,
married Peter M Rempel 5 November 1905, 8 children, lived in Saskatchewan,
died 6 April 1957 in Laird, Saskatchewan
Anna - bom 4 October 1885 in Berdyansk, immigrated to Canada with her parents in
1903, married Peter A Dyck 25 July 1907, 3 children, lived in Waldheim,
Saskatchewan, died 12 February 1912 in Waldheim
Elisabeth (Liese) - bom 29 November 1887 in Berdyansk, died 28 October 1898, likely
in Schoenfeld
Henrietta - bom 29 May 1889 in Berdyansk, immigrated to Canada with parents in 1903,
married Wilhelm W Rempel 2 November 1911,4 children, lived in Hepburn
120
District, Saskatchewan, 4 children, died 9 December 1978
Heinrich - bom 2 November 1891 in Berdyansk, immigrated to Canada with parents in
1903, drowned in North Saskatchewan River 26 July 1914
Katharina - bom 26 July 1899 in Schoenfeld, immigrated to Canada with parents in 1903,
died 18 January 1906 in Waldheim, Saskatchewan
Helena - bom 20 January 1902 in Schoenfeld, died 9 April 1902 in Schoenfeld
Reimer, Johann David
Requested a food draft through the Mennonitische Rundschau 7 June 1922
Address: Puschkinskaya Street, No 11
Looking for Johann Goossen, formerly of Wintergruen Estate
Rempel, Gustav Johann
In 1922 lived in Berdyansk; requested food pages via the Mennonitische Rundschau ,
31 May 1922
Address: Voronzovskaya Street, No 90
Looking for Wilhelm Peter Neufeld of Reedly, Calfomia
Rempel, Isbrand Peter
Bom 27 August 1841 in Sparrau, Molotschna
Parents Peter Peter Rempel and Maria Wiens
He married Susanna Wiens 27 February 1866 in Berdyansk
She was bom 22 November 1846 in Berdyansk
Her parents were Nikolai Johann Wiens and Margaretha Janzen
Children:
Nikolai - bom 18 January 1867 in Berdyansk (see separate listing)
Wife Susanna died 25 April 1869 in Berdyansk
Isbrand married Anna Sudermann May 1870
She was bom 20 December 1845 on an estate at Taschtschenak region
Her parents were Johann Sudermann and Katharina Schroeder
Not sure where the couple lived, but by 1888 lived in Melitopol
Children:
Katharina - bom 22 May 1876, died in Winnipeg
Johann - bom August 1878, probably never married, died 2 November 1938 in
St Catharines, Ontario
Agnes - bom 8 November 1880, married Wilhelm W Martens on 7 October 1933,
she died 2 April 1962 in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
David - bom 17 March 1883, married Katharina Enns 31 August 1913, David died
6 January 1920 in Tiege, Molotschna, of a brain tumour
Gertrude - bom 21 September 1885, married Wilhelm J Martens 12 August 1909,
4 children, Wilhelm died 22 May 1922 in Melitopol, Gertrude immigrated to
Drake, Saskatchewan in 1926, moved with daughter Anna to Niagara-on-the-Lake
in 1941, died 1 August 1970 in Vineland, Ontario
Heinrich - bom 16 January 1888 in Melitopol, married Elisabeth (Lisa) Enns, who was
bom 1 February 1903 in Berdyansk, immigrated to Saskatchewan, Heinrich died
15 March 1967 in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Lisa died June 1974 in
121
St Catharines, Ontario
Rempel, Jacob
Invited guest to the wedding of Heinrich Peter Bahnmann and Katharina Wiens on
11 January 1877
Rempel, Johann
Bom about 1797
Wife Helena - bom about 1799
Children:
Helena - bom about 1827
Johann - bom about 1832 (see separate listing Johann Johann Rempel)
Maria - born about 1834
Lived in Sparrau, Molotschna Farm No 67, moved to Berdyansk by 1852
Owned a windmill by 1852
Rempel, Johann
Bom 11 July 1831 in Ellerwald, West Prussia
Married Maria Thiessen
She was born 11 April 1835
Parents Klaas Thiessen and Maria Penner
Children:
Helena - born about 1854
Maria - bom 9 December 1855 in Berdyansk , baptized 20 May 1874 in Berdyansk,
married Peter Goossen 17 March 1878, he was bom 10 March 1855 in
Hierschau, Molotschna, immigrated to Marion County, Kansas
Anna - bom 25 January 1861 in Berdyansk, married Johann A Siemens 8 June 1882
in Buhler, Kansas, 7 children, died 9 May 1911 in Kansas City, Missouri
Elisabeth - bom 14 February 1863 in Berdyansk, married Abraham Siemens on
4 March 1886, 5 children, she died 21 April 1893 in Buhler, Kansas, Abraham
died 25 September 1927 also in Buhler, Kansas
Heinrich - bom 28 January 1865, married Elisabeth Willems 2 April 1888, 12 children,
died 23 August 1941 in Com, Oklahoma
Agatha - bom about 1867
Johann - bom 17 September 1871, married Helena Thiessen 7 November 1891 in
Buhler, Kansas, 10 children, died 7 December 1944
Katharina - bom about 1873
Aganetha - born 6 July 1874, likely in the USA, married Gerhard T Kroeker, 8 children
all bom in Buhler, Kansas, died June 1956
Family immigrated to USA aboard the S S Holsatia, leaving Hamburg and Le Havre, arriving
in New York 1 July 1774. Probably settled in Kansas
Father Johann died 25 September 1889 in McPherson County, Kansas
Mother Maria died March 1916
Rempel, Johann Johann
Likely the son of Johann Rempel, the windmill owner
Wife Mrs Rempel
122
son Johann bom in Berdyansk 1853. He lived there through his childhood and youth
baptized and joined the church
The family migrated to Hillsboro, Kansas, in 1874
Rempel, Johann Peter
Bom 25 February 1832 in Sparrau, Molotschna (some sources say Pordenau)
Parents Peter Peter Rempel and Maria Wiens
Lived with his father, Peter Peter Rempel, Sparrau, Molotschna until he moved to Berdyansk
Married Elisabeth Huebert, who was bom 29 July 1830 in Margenau
Moved from Sparrau to Berdyansk by 1852
Worked as a miller in Berdyansk, likely in his father’s windmill
Children:
Peter - bom 21 August 1852 in Berdyansk, died later that year
Johann - bom 23 January 1853 in Berdyansk
Immigrated to USA with parents in 1874
Married Elisabeth Heinrichs 16 May 1876, 3 children
Elisabeth died 24 May 1882
Married Margaretha Warkentin 13 August 1882, 1 child
Margaretha died 29 November 1883, likely complications of childbirth
Married Anna Bartel 28 February 1884, 3 children
Johann died 19 February 1903 in Marion County, Kansas
Anna died 24 December 1948 in Marion County, Kansas
Margaretha - bom 4 February 1855 in Berdyansk, died 9 August 1855 in Berdyansk
Jakob - bom 7 July 1856 in Berdyansk, immigrated to USA with parents in 1874
Married Augusta Ewert 30 May 1879, 11 children
Johann died 5 February 1917 in Marion County, Kansas
Augusta died 26 January 1935 in Marion County Kansas
Maria - bom 14 December 1858 in Berdyansk, immigrated to USA with parents in 1874
Married John M Funk 3 December 1878, 11 children
John died 17 September 1919 in Hillsboro, Kansas
Maria died 22 March 1924 in Hillsboro, Kansas
Peter - bom 12 March 1861 in Berdyansk, immigrated to USA with parents in 1874
Died 1 March 1926 in Bakersfield, California
Elisabeth - bom 28 September 1863 in Berdyansk, died 9 November 1866 in Berdyansk
Katharina - bom 29 October 1865 in Berdyansk, died 21 November 1866 in Berdyansk
Isbrand - bom 5 October 1867 in Berdyansk, died 28 January 1873 in Berdyansk
Nikolai - bom 7 May 1870 in Berdyansk, died 16 January 1873 in Berdyansk
Elisabeth - bom 2 May 1874 in Berdyansk, immigrated to USA with parents in 1874
Married Gerhard W Funk 26 May 1892, 9 children
Elisabeth died 17 September 1944 in Hillsboro, Kansas
Gerhard died 29 April 1949 in Hillsboro, Kansas
The family immigrated, departing from Hamburg and Le Havre on the S S Holsatia, arriving
in New York 1 July 1874
They then settled in Marion County, Kansas, likely Hillsboro
123
Wife Elisabeth Huebert died 24 September 1883
Johann Rempel married Elisabeth Ediger 13 November 1887 in Hillsboro, Kansas
Children:
Emil - bom 24 December 1888 in Marion County, Kansas
Bertha
Johann died 29 March 1899 in Hillsboro, Kansas
Rempel, Mr
Wife Mrs Rempel
Daughter Justin a - bom 14 May 1893 in Berdyansk, married Peter J Andres in 1919 in
Ebenfeld, Barnaul Colony, he died 19 May 1922, she married Peter Friesen who was
bom in the Terek Colony, immigrated to Canada, adopted 2 sons, Justina died
9 November 1969 in Simcoe, Ontario, Peter died in 1970, also in Simcoe, Ontario
Rempel, Nikolai Isbrand
(also listed in Melitopol)
Bom 18 January 1867 in Berdyansk
Parents Isbrand Peter Rempel and Susanna Wiens
Married Katharina Johanna Martens 6 February 1892, likely on Estate Helena-Michailovka
She was bom 25 November 1872 in Halbstadt, Molotschna
Her parents were Johann Johann Martens and Katharina Esau
Katharina inherited part of Estate Helena-Michailovka (300 dess), which was near Melitopol
Nikolai inherited some Nikolai Wiens money and a house near Kronsgarten Park
They first lived in Schoenwiese, lived in Berdyansk 1867 to 1883, then moved onto the estate
by 1895
Nikolai also was involved in business, having some money and business partners in Danzig
Children:
Nikolai - bom 3 February 1893 in Schoenwiese (see separate listing in Melitopol)
Olga
Gerhard - bom 15 September 1895 on Estate Helena-Michailovka (see separate listing
in Melitopol)
Vera - died young
Johann
Heinrich - bom 14 September 1900 on Estate Helena-Michailovka (see separate listing
in Melitopol)
Vera - bom on Estate Helena-Michailovka
Sons Nikolai, Gerhard and Heinrich went to school in Melitopol, staying with a relative,
Wilhelm Klassen
1917 Nikolai, wife Katharina and the 2 daughters were evicted from their estate, moved to
Akimovka, south of Melitopol
1919 moved to Melitopol, staying with the Wilhelm Klassens (in a Nebengebeude)
1921 moved to Ohrloff, Molotschna; Nikolai managed the MCC kitchen in Ohrloff 1922-23
1924 family immigrated to Canada, likely first to Drake, Saskatchewan
Katharina died in Drake, Saskatchewan, 10 September 1928
Father Nikolai died 8 June 1941 in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
124
Rempel, Peter
Invited guest to the wedding of Heinrich Peter Bahnmann and Katharina Wiens on
11 January 1877
Rempel, Peter G
Bom 10 February 1866 in Nieder-Chortitza, Chortitza Colony
Baptized 21 May 1890 in Memrik Colony
Married Agatha Heinrichs, who was bom 8 October 1867 in Kronsweide, Chortitza Colony
Her parents were Peter Komelius Heinrichs and Anna Dyck
Lived in Nieder-Chortitza, certainly when the first 7 children were bom
Not sure where they lived 1899 to 1907
By 1909 they lived in Berdyansk
After that they likely moved to Neuendorf, Chortitza Colony
Children:
Peter - bom 8 July 1891 in Nieder-Chortitza
Aganetha - bom 1 August 1892 in Nieder-Chortitza
Agatha - bom 14 July 1893 in Nieder-Chortitza, died 1 March 1905
Anna - bom 14 July 1894 in Nieder-Chortitza, died 15 July 1895 in Nieder-Chortitza
Maria - bom 11 January 1896 in Nieder-Chortitza, died 11 July 1898 in
Nieder-Chortitza
Johann - bom 7 April 1897 in Nieder-Chortitza, died 10 February 1898 in
Nieder-Chortitza
Heinrich - bom 29 March 1898 in Nieder-Chortitza
Johann - born 31 May 1899
Helena - bom 20 July 1900, died 23 September 1902
Gerhard - bom 21 May 1903
Hilda - bom 18 December 1904
Waldemar - bom 22 December 1905, died 1 July 1906
Amalia - bom 25 May 1907, baptized 13 June 1927 in Neuendorf, Chortitza,
migrated to Canada
Erna - bom 3 August 1909 in Berdyansk, died 9 August 1909 in Berdyansk
Father Peter died in 1917
Mother Agatha died 1 February 1920 in Neuendorf, Chortitza
Rempel, Peter Peter
Bom about 1803 in Marienburg, West Prussia
Married Maria Wiens, who was bom about 1803
Migrated from Einlage, Elbing, West Prussia in 1828
Likely settled in Sparrau, Molotschna, Farm No 16 or 18
Moved to Berdyansk by 1852, owned a mill by then
Children:
Peter - bom about February 1828 in Sparrau, Molotschna, married Anna Huebert,
then Margaretha Pankratz, moved to Jezsk on the Sea of Azov, lived in the
Kuban in the 1880s
Johann - bom 25 February 1832 (see separate listing Johann Peter Rempel)
125
Anna - married Franz Willms
They lived in Berdyansk
Anna raised her nephew Wilhelm Jakob Rempel
The Franz Willms were invited guests to the wedding of Heinrich Peter Bahnmann
and Katharina Wiens on 11 January 1877
Maria - bom about 1833 in Sparrau, married Cornelius Friesen, was widowed and
bedridden for the last 20 years of her life
They lived in Berdyansk
Katharina - bom about 1838 in Sparrau
Isbrand - bom 27 August 1841 in Sparrau, married Susanna Wiens 27 February 1866
in Berdyansk, she was bom 22 November 1846 in Berdyansk, she died
25 April 1869, he then married Anna Sudermann May 1870, she was bom
20 December 1845 on a Taschtschenak estate, they lived in Berdyansk, but
Isbrand died 26 December 1891 in the Taschtschenak region
Son: Nikolai Isbrand - bom 18 January 1867 in Berdyansk (see separate listing)
Jakob - bom about 1844 in Sparrau, Molotschna, married, lived at least by 1866 in
Elisabetthal, Molotschna
Children:
Jakob
Anna
Katharina
Maria
Helena
Margaretha
Wilhelm - born 11 December 1866 in Elisabetthal
(see separate listing Wilhelm Jakob Rempel)
Wife Maria died sometime after 1852
Peter married Elisabeth Wiens about 1860
Peter died 1885 in Berdyansk
Rempel, Wilhelm Jakob
Bom 11 December 1866 in Elisabetthal, Molotschna
Father Jakob Rempel
Married Susanna Klassen 24 January 1889 in Berdyansk
They probably lived in Berdyansk, certainly by 1907
Children:
Jakob - twin, died early
Augusta - twin, died early
Wilhelm - died as an infant
Wilhelm - bom 8 March 1892, disappeared in 1918
Augusta - bom 14 May 1893, married Peter Andres, then married Peter Friesen,
died 10 November 1969 in Port Rowan, Ontario
Anna - bom 11 January 1895, married Heinrich Schultz, died 4 November 1923
in Lichtfelde, Molotschna
126
Jakob - bora 4 March 1896, married Agatha Enns, died 26 October 1961
Olga - bom 1 January 1898, married Franz F Janzen, died 16 September 1972
in Port Rowan, Ontario
Johann - bom 18 February 1899, married Katharina Kurtz, died 11 November 1945
in Niagara-on-the-Lake
Susanna - bom 16 February 1901, married Ezra D Grove, died 26 May 1984 in
Hanover, Ontario
Heinrich - bom 18 May 1902, married Anna Enns, died 24 October 1959
Mathilde - bom 25 February 1904, married Jacob M Friesen
Katharina - bom 1 May 1905, married Peter J Smith, then Walter Dymond, died
5 November 1986 in Stouffville, Ontario
Maria - bom 16 April 1907 in Berdyansk, married Heinrich Franz Janzen, died
7 July 1996 in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
Cornelius - bom 1 June 1909, married Anna Martens
Margaretha - bom 14 September 1910 in Berdyansk, married Wilhelm Hamm, died
20 May 1999 of cancer in Port Rowan, Ontario
Wilhelm represented the Berdyansk Mennonites at a meeting at a meeting regarding the
Forstei held 5-6 May 1909 and 1910
The family migrated to Ontario, Canada, likely in the 1920s
Susanna died 5 January 1942 in Reesor, Ontario
Wilhelm died 7 May 1946 in Port Rowan, Ontario
Riediger, Martin A
Bom 8 January 1820 in Lichtfelde, Molotschna
Married Elisabeth Heese 9 April 1844
She was bom 11 December 1819
Parents Heinrich Heese and Katharina Penner
Martin was sent by Johann Comies for further study
The became teacher in Ohrloff until 1846
Must have lived in Berdyansk sometime around 1848
Moved to Grunau in the Mariupol Colony where he was a bookkeeper
Much of the family still related to Berdyansk
Children:
Heinrich - bom 18 May 1845 in Ohrloff, married Helena Thiessen, 11 children, died
7 November 1909 in Yazykovo Colony
Anna - bom 9 October 1846 in Ohrloff, married Jakob Thiessen, 10 children, lived in
Ekaterinoslav
Abram - bom 23 August 1848 in Berdyansk, died 18 December 1851
Jacob - bom 3 February 1851 in Grunau, died 18 December 1851
Katharina - bom 8 December 1851, married Johannes Sudermann, 4 children
Elisabeth - bom 1 October 1853 in Grunau, married Cornelius Janzen
28 September 1872 in Gulai, Poland
Cornelius was bom 21 November 1848 in Schoenwiese
Family likely lived in Berdyansk
127
Children:
Elisabeth - bom 6 August 1873, married Isaak Thiessen, she died
1927 in Berdyansk
Heinrich - bom 14 January 1875
Abram - bom 23 September 1876
Maria - born 1 February 1878
Cornelius - born 8 May 1880
Katharina - bom 15 October 1881, died 1920
Anna - bom 2 May 1883, died 1963
Eva - born 3 July 1885, died 1949
Peter - born 2 February 1887
Johann - born 23 June 1889
Wilhelm - bom 13 February 1891, died 1919
Helena - born 26 June 1893
Agatha - bom 22 March 1896, married Johann Klassen 10 June 1923 in
Arkadark Colony, Russia, immigrated to Canada, Johann founded
Monarch Industries of Winnipeg, and was involved in founding
Bethania Nursing Home
Peter - bom 16 January 1856 in Grunau
(see separate listing)
Maria - bom 1 July 1858 in Neuanlage, Barzenkovo Colony
Married Wilhelm Isaak Dyck
(see biography of Wilhelm Isaak Dyck of Millerovo)
Martin died 21 April 1866 in Neu Stuttgart, Russia
Mother Elisabeth died 15 December 1902
Riediger, Peter Martin
Bom 16 January 1856 in Grunau
Parents Martin A Riediger and Elisabeth Heese
In 1866 at the death of his father, was taken in by his uncle, Heinrich Heese
Educated at Chortitza Zentralschule, then Gymnasium in Ekaterinoslav, 2 years Teachers
College in Halbstadt, Prussia
Was a teacher in the Chortitza Zentralschule 1879-1892
Purchased the rope factory in Berdyansk owned by Wiens and Janzen
Around 1897 lived in Berdyansk, then moved to Komeyevka Estate at least 1903-1907,
then probably back to Berdyansk, certainly by 1912, staying there until he died in 1916
Married Justina Wiebe 5 August 1879, she was bom 9 January 1861
Children:
Peter - bom 26 March 1880, died 30 March 1880
Peter - bom 3 March 1881, died 11 March 1881
Justina - bom 1 December 1882 in Chortitza
Wife Justina died 27 March 1883
Married Susanna Heinrichs 22 July 1884
Children:
128
Susanna - bom 13 June 1885, died 3 June 1886
Julius - bom 15 March 1887, died 20 January 1890 of diphtheria
Aganetha Janzen adopted 22 November 1888
She was bom 28 July 1880
Elisabeth - bom 6 February 1889, died 5 February 1890
Aganetha - bom 20 December 1890, married Leonhard Leonhard Sudermann ,
14 February 1918, died 1951 in Russia
Peter - bom 14 February 1893, married Helena Bergmann, died January 1919 in
South Russia, murdered
Susanna - bom 31 January 1895
Elisabeth - bom 13 March 1897 in Berdyansk, married Johann Gerhard Klassen
27 November 1916 in Berdyansk, Elisabeth died 23 December 1963
(see separate listing Johann Gerhard Klassen)
Katharina - bom 2 May 1899, married Heinrich H Reimer 9 May 1921, she was teacher,
died 2 September 1970 in Pleshanovo, Neu Samara, Russia
Susanna - bom 15 February 1901, married Helmut Guertler 3 October 1938 in Berlin,
Germany
Helena - bom 10 April 1903 on Komeyevka Estate, married Isaac T Ewert, died
11 July 1998 in Waterloo, Ontario
Heinrich - bom 7 November 1905 on Komeyevka Estate, married Susanna Unruh, died
19 November 1971 in Kitchener, Ontario
Julius - bom 12 December 1907 on Komeyevka Estate, married Sara Boldt, lived
in Kitchener
Minister P Riediger from Berdyansk was listed as a correspondent for Friedensstimme in
December, 1912
Was minister in charge of some of the Sunday church services in 1913
He was also one of a group of teachers who were involved in the writing of German grammar
books, readers, Bible story books, Bible and Church history book
Peter died 10 October 1916 in Berdyansk
It is probably Peter’s widow who purchased the house of Heinrich Abram Ediger, likely
about 1918. She lived there with her 2 daughters, Susanna and Katharina, and took in
students as boarders. The Edigers still lived in one of the wings of the house
Second wife Susanna Heinrichs died 3 October 1927 in Kitchener, Ontario
Riesen, (von Riesen), Anna
Bom 14 January 1829 in Schidlitz, West Prussia
Parents Peter von Riesen and Margaretha Harder
Younger sister of Helena Janzen
Never married
Lived with Cornelius and Helena Janzen when they were first married in Schidlitz,
then moved with them to Berdyansk, immigrated to Canada with them in 1873, then
to USA in 1874.
Throughout her life with the Janzens shared equally in all of the household expenses
Was in the Janzen household for almost 50 years
129
Died 28 June 1898 in Beatrice, Nebraska
Riesen, (von Riesen), Anna
Bom 26 March 1852 in Schidlitz, West Prussia
Parents Abraham von Riesen and Johanna Hamm
Following the death of her parents was educated partly in the home of Cornelius Janzen,
partly by relatives in Prussia
Taken into the home of her uncle, Johann Hamm
Migrated to USA with her brothers
Married Heinrich G Warkentin July 1911
Riesen, (von Riesen) Heinrich
Bom 5 May 1821 in Schidlitz, West Prussia
Parents Peter von Riesen and Maria Tiessen
Helena Janzen (husband Cornelius) was his younger sister
Married Sara Sudermann about 1840
She was bom 5 October 1826 in Kalthof bei Koenigsberg, Prussia
Her parents Abraham 1 Sudermann and Elisabeth Woelke
Lived in Berdyansk
The Cornelius Janzen family lived with them the early part of 1852 during the time that their
house was being built
Heinrich died 27 August 1852
Wife Sara married Wilhelm Quiring 22 September 1853
Riesen (von Riesen), Heinrich
Bom about 1852, likely in Schidlitz, West Prussia
Parents Abraham von Riesen and Johanna Hamm
Following the death of his parents was educated partly in the home of Cornelius Janzen,
partly by relatives in Prussia
Riesen, (von Riesen) Isbrand
Bom 18 June 1791 in Marienburg, West Pmssia
Married Helena Harder 24 April 1814 in Heubuden, West Prussia
She was bom 20 February 1795 in Marienburg
Her parents were Claas Harder and Helena Sudermann
Initially they lived in Elbing area, West Pmssia, where all their 8 children were bom
Children:
Anna - bom 1 July 1815
Heinrich Eduard - bom 10 May 1818
Helena Wilhelmina - bom 20 October 1819
Rudolf Hermann - bom 13 February 1821 (see separate listing)
Listed in family history as having moved to Berdyansk in 1847
Katharina Henrietta - bom 5 November 1822
Johann Friedrich - bom 21 August 1824
Maria Emilie - bom 30 October 1825
Johanna - bom 21 June 1829
The parents migrated to Berdyansk, perhaps as early as 1832, definitely by 1847
130
Likely at least the 5 younger children went with them
Isbrand died 3 December 1832, said to have been in Berdyansk
The wife was a frequent guest in the Cornelius Janzen home, and for a time lived with them
Helena died 15 July 1869 in Berdyansk
Riesen, (von Riesen), Johannes
Bom 25 March 1823 in Schidlitz, West Prussia
Parents Peter von Riesen and Margaretha Harder
Younger brother of Helena Janzen
Accompanied the Janzens when they moved to Berdyansk in 1850
Bought a farm from brother-in-law Cornelius Janzen in Wickerau, near Elbing, West Prussia
in early 1856
Married Marie Wiebe
Bom 25 December 1832 in Rothebude, Prussia
Parents were Jacob Wiebe and Anna Penner
Children:
Johannes - bom 29 June 1857 in Prussia, immigrated to USA, married Marie Wiebe
died 23 September 1887 in Beatrice, Nebraska
Anna - bom 1 February 1860 in Berdyansk, immigrated to USA, married Heinrich
Wiens, died 7 April 1918 in Beatrice, Nebraska
Helena - bom 24 August 1861 in Berdyansk, died 8 January 1940
Margaretha - bom 1864 in Wickerau
Cornelius - bom 21 May 1870 in Wickerau, immigrated to USA, married Katharina
Penner of Beatrice, Nebraska, died 4 February 1942 in California
The family first lived in Wickerau, then moved to Berdyansk by 1860, then back to Wickerau
by 1864
Immigrated to USA on the S S Nederland departing from Antwerp, arriving in New York
22 August 1876
Settled in Beatrice, Nebraska
Johannes died 26 January 1897 in Beatrice, Nebraska; wife Marie died 29 March 1909,
presumably in Beatrice
Riesen, (von Riesen) Rudolf Hermann
Bom 13 February 1821 in Elbing, West Prussia
Parents Isbrand von Riesen and Helena Harder
Listed as being baptized in Danzig in 1839
Moved to Berdyansk in 1847
Married Katharina Friesen 14 April 1849 in Berdyansk
She was bom 24 March 1828 in Altona, Molotschna
Rudolf retained his Prussian citizenship
Cabinet maker
Children: the family records cannot be accurate in all cases, so some data has been “corrected”
Rudolf - bom 25 December 1854 in Berdyansk, baptized 7 April 1873 in Berdyansk,
immigrated to USA with parents in 1873, married Sara Richert 27 February 1879 in
Alexanderwohl, Kansas, died 2 September 1934 in Arlington, Kansas
131
Gertrude - bom 6 May 1857 in Berdyansk, immigrated to USA with parents in 1873,
married Cornelius A Bergmann 10 February 1881, died 9 March 1886
Heinrich - bom 30 January 1860 in Berdyansk, immigrated to USA with parents in 1873,
baptized 2 June 1879 in Bruderthal, Kansas, married Katharina Funk
27 September 1889
Katharina - bom 23 August 1869 in Berdyansk, immigrated to USA with parents in 1873,
married Paul Mouttet 7 November 1890, died 21 February 1936 in Hillsboro,
Kansas
Agatha - bom 23 December 1866 in Berdyansk, immigrated to USA with parents in 1873,
married Wilhelm J Nickel 17 December 1891, died 28 May 1952 in Hillsboro,
Kansas
Agnes - bom about 1869 in Berdyansk, immigrated to USA with parents in 1873
Johann - bom 7 February 1872 in Berdyansk, twin with Friedrich, immigrated to USA
with parents in 1873
Friedrich - bom 7 February 1872 in Berdyansk, twin with Johann, immigrated to USA
with parents in 1873, married Elisabeth Nickel 18 March 1897, Elisabeth died,
then married Katharina Dyck 30 October 1912, he died 29 January 1961 in
Hillsboro, Kansas
Jacob - bom 3 February 1876 in Marion County, Kansas, moved to West Reserve,
Manitoba, then to Saskatchewan, married Elisabeth Esau 1 July 1902 in Reinland,
Manitoba
Family left Berdyansk departing from Hamburg and Le Havre on the S S Frisia and landing in
New York 29 May 1873
Settled in Hillsboro, Kansas
Rudolf died 26 December 1891 and wife Katharina died 30 December 1891, both in
Hillsboro, Kansas
Schmidt, Abram
Wife Mrs Schmidt
Abram died before 1877
Widow Abram Schmidt was an invited guest to the wedding of Heinrich Peter Bahnmann and
Katharina Wiens on 11 January 1877
Schroeder, David
Probably bom on an estate
Son of a Schroeder, possibly Heinrich, mother a Reimer
Had brothers Heinrich and Peter, at least 5 sisters, one of which was Katharina Janzen, wife of
the mayor of Orechov
Nephew of Jacob Reimer, who turned 73 in 1900
Invited guest to the wedding of Heinrich Peter Bahnmann and Katharina Wiens on
11 January 1877
Schroeder, Margaretha
Wrote a letter to her aunt in Canada, Katharina Regier of Laird Saskatchewan, in April of
1922 describing the terrible famine in Berdyansk. The aunt responded by sending a
food draft.
132
A later letter reported that Margaretha’s brother Nikolai of Berdyansk had died of starvation
Emigrated from Berdyansk to Canada in 1926, landing in Quebec 15 October 1926. She
then settled in Laird, Saskatchewan
Schroeder, Nikolai
Brother of Margaretha Schroeder, reported as having died of starvation in Berdyansk, likely
in April or early May 1922
Schroeder, Peter David
Wife Margaretha (Grete)
Requested food draft via Mennonitische Rundschau 7 June 1922
Address: Buschkinskaya Street No 4
Looking for Minister Nikolai Bahnmann, Laird, Saskatchewan
Signed the letter of thanks for food packages written by Elder Leonhard Sudermann in late 1922
In 1923 received a gift of $15 from Peter and Katharina Regier of Laird, Saskatchewan, to
help them in their need
Spenst, H
Invited guest to the wedding of Heinrich Peter Bahnmann and Katharina Wiens on
11 January 1877
Sudermann, Abraham Isaak
Bom 29 July 1790 in Kalthofbei Koenigsberg, Prussia
Parents Isaak Sudermann and Magdalena Tiessen
Married Elisabeth Woelke 16 April 1816
She was bom 17 June 1793 in Kalthofbei Koenigsberg, Prussia
Abraham was originally a miller by trade
He was a minister in the Heubuden Mennonite Church in 1823, but had to step down from
this position in 1836 because of an eye disease
Migrated to Russia in 1840, settling in Berdyansk
Children:
Infant - bom 6 April 1817 in Koldowe, Prussia, died 6 April 1817 in Koldowe
Abraham - bom 10 June 1818 in Koldowe, Prussia, died 1 January 1820 in Koldowe
Elisabeth - bom 3 January 1820 in Kalthofbei Koenigsberg, married Herrmann
Sudermann, son of Abraham Sudermann and Anna von Riesen
(see listing of Herrmann Abraham Sudermann)
Maria - bom 4 Lebruary 1821 in Kalthofbei Koenigsberg, married Leonhard Abraham
Sudermann 23 October 1842
(see biography of Elder Leonhard Abraham Sudermann)
Sara - bom 11 August 1822 in Kalthofbei Koenigsberg, died 1822
Anna - bom 8 September 1823 in Kalthofbei Koenigsberg, migrated to Russia with
her parents, settled in Berdyansk by 1841
Abraham - bom 16 October 1824 in Kalthofbei Koenigsberg, migrated from the
Kleinwerder in West Prussia to the Molotschna in 1839, in a group of 35, under the
leadership of Johann Goertz, settled in Halbstadt
Hermann - bom 21 September 1825 in Kalthofbei Koenigsberg, married Elisabeth
Ediger 24 April 1862
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(see separate listing Hermann Woelke Sudermann)
Sara - bom 5 October 1826 in Kalthof bei Koenigsberg, married Heinrich von Riesen
about 1840 in Prussia, his parents were Peter von Riesen and Margaretha Harder,
Heinrich died 27 August 1852 in Berdyansk, Sara then married Wilhelm
Quiring, she died 4 December 1893 in Newton, Kansas
Jakob - bom 23 October 1827 in Kalthof bei Koenigsberg, migrated from the
Kleinwerder in West Prussia to the Molotschna in 1839, in a group of 35, under the
leadership of Johann Goertz, probably remained single, and died of smallpox,
probably died in Berdyansk
Bernhard - bom 30 January 1829, died the same day
Bernhard - bom 17 April 1830, died 4 October 1830
Bernhard - bom 14 January 1832
Franz - bom 29 March 1833, died the same day
Helene - bom 14 July 1834, died the same day
Heinrich - bom 20 December 1835, died the same day
By 1845 he had built and operated a treadmill in Berdyansk
Also was a wine merchant
Abraham organized the first Mennonite worship services in Berdyansk, for the first number of
years they met in homes
When the congregation became organized, Abraham was the first elder
Continued on as elder until poor health forced him to resign; son-in-law Leonhard Sudermann
was the elected elder in 1865
Abraham died later that year, in 1865
Sudermann, Abraham Jakob
Wife Mrs Sudermann
Requested food draft via Mennonitische Rundschau 7 June 1922
Voronzovskaya Street No 53
Looking for Peter Jansen, Beatrice, Nebraska
Signed the letter of thanks for food packages written by Elder Leonhard Sudermann in late 1922
Quite probably the same Abraham Sudermann whose house was totally destroyed during
the Civil War. David M Hofer published picture of the mins in his book in 1924
Sudermann, Heinrich Jakob
Bom 1857, probably in Berdyansk
Parents Jacob Isaak Sudermann and Eva Unruh
Married Maria Klassen 31 May 1879
She was bom 16 January 1857 Neuteich Estate
Parents Abraham A Klassen and Maria D Schroeder
Was owner of Estate Selenoye, near the Memrik Colony
Children:
Jakob - died on Estate Selenoye
Heinrich - bom 23 March_, married Helena Mueller, 2 daughters, Martha, Maria,
Heinrich died in Berdyansk in 1920 (see separate listing for Helena)
Abraham - bom 14 September_, married Maria Wiens 25 May 1908, she was
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bom 3 February 1887, 3 children, Maria, Helena, Nikolai, Abraham died in
Berdyansk in 1920
Eva - bom 26 April 1893, died 20 September 1917
Mother Maria Sudermann died 26 March 1917
Heinrich J Sudermann was attacked and killed by bandits at the Railway Station Chaplino
18 October 1919; they got away with his belongings
Sudermann, Helena (nee Mueller)
Originally from Helenendorf, Caucasus
Helena Mueller married Heinrich Sudermann
Children:
Martha
Maria
Husband Heinrich died in Berdyansk in 1920
In 1922 requested food packages via the Mennonitische Rundschau, 31 May 1922
Address: Voronzovskaya Street, No 79
Looking for Johannes Mueller, formerly from Switzerland
Sudermann, Hermann
One of the 4 young men who accompanied Johann Claassen to St Petersburg and Reval in
1854 when Claassen was trying to solve the legal problems of the Bruderschule in
Gnadenfeld
Sudermann stayed in Reval for some additional training
He then taught in the Bruderschule in Gnadenfeld, Molotschna
He was a quiet and diffident man, was forced out of the school
Lived as a private citizen in Berdyansk
Family migrated to the USA in 1874
Sudermann, Herrmann Abraham
Bom 28 January 1814 in Goldschaar, West Prussia
Parents Abraham Sudermann and second wife Anna von Riesen
Eleventh child of Abraham Sudermann
Married Elisabeth Sudermann 26 December 1837 in Germany
She was bom 3 January 1820 in Kalthof, near Koenigsberg, East Prussia
Parents Abraham I Sudermann and Elisabeth Woelke
Children:
Elisabeth - bom 15 October 1838 in Kalthof, East Pmssia, died at an early age
Elisabeth - bom 3 May 1840, married Johann Jantzen in 1860, died 15 November 1860,
one record says in Berdyansk
One daughter Elise - bom 10 November 1860 in Orechov, Savitaya, Amur Region
(see separate entry Elise Jantzen)
Migrated to Berdyansk by 1842
Abraham - bom 26 November 1842 in Berdyansk
Wife Elisabeth died 31 December 1842 likely in Berdyansk
Married Maria Rempel 20 February 1847
Hermann - bom 22 September 1849 in Berdyansk, married Maria Quiring
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21 January 1877 in Summerfield, Illinois, USA, she was bom 23 August 1856
in Berdyansk, Hermann died 4 April 1917 in Newton, Kansas
Heinrich - bom 13 March 1853
Maria - bom 19 September 1854
Abram - bom 9 September 1856
Anna - bom 10 May 1858, baptized in Berdyansk 17 May 1875, married Rudolph
Claassen 5 September 1878 in Newton Kansas
Wife Maria died 28 December 1860
Herrmann married Anna Thiessen 24 June 1861
She was bom about 1833
Quite possibly moved from Berdyansk to Goldschaar by the Konskaya River at this time
Elisabeth - bom 14 April 1862, died 28 April 1862
Jakob - bom 4 April 1863, said to be in Goldschaar by the Konskaya River, South Russia,
immigrated to the USA
Agatha - bom 8 January 1864 at Goldschaar by the Konskaya River, immigrated to the
USA
Leonhard - bom 20 March 1867
The extended family immigrated to the USA; departed Bremen, Germany, arriving in
New York 26 August 1876
Those immigrating were Herrmann, third wife Anna, children Maria, Anna, Jakob and Agatha,
as well as son Hermann and his wife Maria (nee Quiring)
Sudermann, Hermann Woelke
Bom 21 September 1825 in Kolthof bei Koenigsberg
Baptized 2 May 1845 in Gnadenfeld
Married Elisabeth Ediger 24 April 1862
She was bom 21 January 1839 in Schoensee, Molotschna, baptized 1856 in Rudnerweide
Children:
Abraham - bom 24 January 1863 in Tokmak, baptized in Berdyansk, died 23 August 1891
in El Reno Oklahoma
Elisabeth - bom 7 June 1864 in Gnadenfeld, died 5 December 1865 in Gnadenfeld
Elisabeth - bom 6 March 1866 in Gnadenfeld, died 31 July 1867 in Gnadenfeld
Maria - bom 30 November 1867 in Gnadenfeld, married Wilhelm Bartel 17 March 1894,
5 children, died 9 May 1914 in Aberdeen, Idaho
Anna - bom 9 October 1869 in Gnadenfeld, married Peter P Janzen 8 October 1899,
5 children, died 10 April 1954 in Newton, Kansas
Sara - bom 21 July 1871 in Berdyansk, baptized 20 May 1898 in Newton, Kansas,
married Johann H Warkentin 11 November 1900, 4 children, died
30 October 1934 in Geary, Oklahoma
Hermann E - bom 3 May 1873 in Berdyansk, baptized 25 May 1890 in Newton, Kansas,
married Mary Katherine Krehbil 27 December 1898, 5 children, died
12 August 1967 in Newton, Kansas
Peter - bom 24 September 1874 in Berdyansk, died 17 December 1879 in Berdyansk
Jakob - bom 31 August 1877 in Berdyansk, died 20 December 1879 in Berdyansk
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Salomon (Sam) - bom 12 September 1879 in Berdyansk, married Augusta Lancer,
died 3 December 1955 in New York, New York
The family originally lived in Tokmak until 1863, then lived in Gnadenfeld 1864-about 1870,
then lived in Berdyansk, likely until their migration to the USA in 1885
Possibly invited guests to the wedding of Heinrich Peter Bahnmann and Katharina Wiens on
11 January 1877
Immigrated to the USA aboard the S S Nuernberg departing from Bremen, arriving in New York
26 May 1885 with 6 children.
Settled in Newton, Kansas
Elisabeth died 12 January 1898, Hermann died 24 February 1899, both in Newton, Kansas
Sudermann, Jakob Isaak
Bom 11 August 1794 in Frauenfeld bei Elbing, West Prussia
Married Eva Unruh on 21 September 1841 likely in Berdyansk
She was bom 21 September 1821 in Elbing, West Prussia
Parents Heinrich Unruh and Maria Ratzlaff
She may in time have been a foster daughter living at the Peter Schmidts on the
Steinbach Estate
Apparently Jakob was well educated and with a large library
Originally lived in Gnadenfeld, Molotschna, Farm No 55
Owned a windmill in Berdyansk by 1852
Was a grain broker, miller, wine merchant, estate owner and minister
Children:
(In this family only the names of the parents are certain, different records of the children varying
considerably)
Jakob - bom after 1841 in Berdyansk , possibly invited guest to the wedding of Heinrich
Peter Bahnmann and Katharina Wiens on 11 January 1877
Leonhard - bom about 1843 in Berdyansk according to one record, another has him bom
in 1859 (see separate listing for Leonard Jakob Sudermann)
Helene - bom 21 September 1843 in Berdyansk , married Gerhard Voth
(see entry for Gerhard Voth)
Isaak - bom 1 December 1845 in Berdyansk
Married Anna Dick 10 January 1867
She was bom 14 November 1847 on an Rosenhof (Brodsky) Estate
Parents Jakob Dick and Anna Schmidt
Invited guests to the wedding of Heinrich Peter Bahnmann and Katharina Wiens on
11 January 1877
Children:
Jakob - bom 4 September 1867 in Berdyansk, married Amy Evelyn
Greaves on 16 April 1900, she was bom 14 January 1878 in
Sheffield, England, the niece of factory owner John Greaves,
Jacob was travelling salesman for the “Swallow Brand” of farm
implements, Jacob died 12 March 1909 in Berdyansk, Amy married
again, died 2 Novemberl975 in Newton, Kansas
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Anna - bom 27 October 1868, died 20 March 1872 Rosenhof Estate
Maria - bom 22 September 1870 in Berdyansk, married Sergei Tcheretz
12 April 1895, he was bom 20 December 1865
Children:
Anna - bom 29 August 1896
Lydia - bom 23 August 1898
Alexander - bom 19 May 1902
Valerian - bom 3 November 1903, died 14 March 1910
Victor - born 11 August 1909
Georg - bom 6 September 1911
Maria signed letter of thanks for food packages written by Elder
Leonhard Sudermann in late 1922
Sergei died 1927 in Berdyansk
Peter - bom 21 January 1874
Married Emilie Victoria Greaves on 8 September 1899
Her nickname was “Mimi”
She was bom 25 December 1878 in Sheffield, England, the
daughter of factory owner John Greaves
Peter was one of the managers in the Greaves factory, he died
December 1920 in Kerch, Crimea, arrested as a hostage, and
executed after a bogus trial
At least 3 children:
Johann - killed in Krasnodar fighting in the White Army
Johanna
Peter - Bom about 1908
She signed letter of thanks for food packages in late 1922
Emilie with Johanna and Peter immigrated to Winnipeg in 1925
Emilie died 1974 in Windsor, Ontario
Luise - bom 31 March 1876, married Oskar Simmersbach 4 January 1901,
Oskar died 14 December 1918 in Breslau, Silesia, Luise died
23 December 1950 in Saeckingen, Germany
Emmy - bom 18 November 1883 on Luisental Chutor, Ekaterinoslav
Requested food draft via Mennonitischa Rundschau 7 June 1922
Address: Sadovaya Street No 40
Looking for Gustav Enss, Moundridge, Kansas
Signed letter of thanks for food packages late 1922
Unmarried, banished to the North and died there in 1941
Isaak Sudermann’s grain business failed about 1894, but his wife Anna Dick
inherited a large estate on the Krivoy Toretz River near Konstantinovka,
(called Toretzkaya) so that is where they moved. Jakob and Amy
Sudermann moved onto the estate as well
Isaac died 28 Marchl918, wife Anna died 29 October, both in Berdyansk
Jakob - bom 21 May 1852 in Berdyansk
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Married A nn a Schroeder 29 April 1875
She was bom 27 March 1852 on a Taschtschenak estate
They lived on an estate in the Taschtschenak region, where most of their children
were bom, then moved to their own estate in Apanlee
Jacob was very much involved with philanthropic projects in the Molotschna
region such as the Alexanderkrone Zentralschule, as well as the
Forsteidienst, and the Bethania Heilanstalt
Children: Helene (1876), Anna (1877), Eva (1880), Jacob (1881), Louise (1883),
David (1887) bom in Apanlee
Jacob was murdered mid February 1918 in Halbstadt
Anna died 20 March 1933 in New York, Ignatyevo Colony
Abraham - bom 1853, probably in Berdyansk
Married Katharina Martens
Manufactured and sold white wine
He was kind hearted
No children
Heinrich - bom 1857
(see separate entry for Heinrich Jakob Sudermann)
Leonhard - bom about 1859 in Berdyansk
(see separate listing Leonhard Jakob Sudermann)
Father Jacob Sudermann died 12 March 1877 in Berdyansk
Eva died 12 August 1915 in Berdyansk
Sudermann, Johann Abraham
Bom 15 May 1787 in Goldschaar, West Prussia
Parents Abraham Sudermann and his first wife Katharina Dueck
Eldest child of Abraham Sudermann
Married Helena Claassen 24 September 1806 in Heubuden, Marienburg, West Prussia
Lived in Heubuden
Children:
Helena - bom 4 December 1809 in Heubuden
Anna - bom 20 January 1811 in Heubuden, died 5 March 1811 in Heubuden
Susanna - bom 10 January 1813 in Heubuden, died 10 March 1811 in Heubuden
Elisabeth - bom 1 June 1815 in Heubuden, married Komelius Peter Penner 1834 in
Rudnerweide, Molotschna, moved to Landskrone, immigrated to USA, Elisabeth
died 14 March 1904 in Henderson, Nebraska
Johann - bom 14 September 1817 in Heubuden
Abraham - bom 1 April 1819 in Heubuden, died as an infant
Wife Helena died 1819 in Heubuden
Johann married Helena Wiebe 2 September 1819 in Heubuden, she was bom in 1796
Children:
Abraham - bom 14 July 1820 in Heubuden
Anna - bom 14 June 1827 in Heubuden, probably died by 1835
Jakob - bom 10 June 1828 in Heubuden
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Family migrated from Fleubuden to Rudnerweide, Molotschna in 1829
Likely owned Farm No 12 in Rudnerweide
Margaretha - bom about 1834 in Rudnerweide
Wife Helena died about 1835 in Rudnerweide
Family lived in Rudnerweide until at least 1850, then moved to Berdyansk by 1852
By 1852 had a third wife, also named Helena
Son Jakob moved with the family to Berdyansk
Father Johann was involved with horticulture in Berdyansk
Sudermann, Leonhard Abraham
(see biography of Elder Leonhard Abraham Sudermann)
Bom 21 April 1821 in Goldschaar, West Prussia
Parents Abraham Sudermann and his second wife Anna von Riesen, was youngest of 11 children
Married Maria Sudermann in 1841
She was daughter of Abraham Sudermann, miller and Mennonite minister in Berdyansk
Had no children of their own, but had a foster daughter
Spent some time in Gnadenfeld helping relative Hermann Harder with his Wirtschaft and store
Moved from Gnadenfeld to Berdyansk by 1852, where he worked in a brick factory
Influenced by Eduard Wuest, became his friend
1859, the year Wuest died, Leonhard was elected as minister of the Mennonite church
When the congregation became independent in 1865 Leonhard was elected as Elder
One of the first features he added was Sunday School for the children on Sunday aftemnoons
While Sudermann had only the rudimentary primary school education, his preaching was
appreciated for its warmth, simplicity and modesty
Leonhard often sought the advice of his good friend Cornelius Janzen, especially in public and
business affairs
A leader in the immigration to the USA in the 1870s
Pastor of a small church Emmaus Gemeinde , in Whitewater, Kansas
Died 27 January 1900, in Whitewater
Sudermann, Leonhard Jakob
Bom about 1859 in Berdyansk
Parents Jakob Isaak Sudermann and Eva Unruh
Married Elisabeth L Fehderau
Lived in a large brick home on the same street as John E Greaves
Children:
Abram
Jakob
Johann
Eva - born 20 December 1890 in Berdyansk, married Peter Friesen
Leonhard - bom 20 December 1890 in Berdyansk
(see separate listing for Leonhard Leonhard Sudermann)
Appointed Leader of the Berdyansk Mennonite Church in 1903
Taught Religion classes in the Mennonite Realschu/e 1905
At the start of World War I, end of September 1914, the Mennonite Church, under the
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leadership of Elder Leonard Sudermann, held a special meeting. They prayed for the
Czar and country and for victory for the Russian armed forces. The prayers were based
on the Bible passage, “How much does the Lord love the people.” The Mennonite
Elementary School participated in the service
Elder of the Mennonite Church in Berdyansk by 1912
One of three members of a committee established to distribute food packages in Berdyansk
in March of 1922
Requested food packages via the Mennonitische Rundschau , 31 May 1922
Address: Voronzovskaya Street, No 79
Looking for Gustav Enss, Moundridge, Kansas
Wrote a letter of thanks in late 1922 for the help given by North American Mennonites,
letter was published in the Mennonitische Rundschau in November 1923
Was not one of the delegates to the All-Russian Mennonite Conference held in Moscow
in January 1925
With his family was banished to Kazakhstan
Leonhard and his wife presumably died in Kazakhstan
Sudermann, Leonhard Leonhard
Bom 20 December 1890 in Berdyansk, twin of Eva Sudermann
Parents Leonhard Jakob Sudermann and Elisabeth L Fehderau
Married Aganetha Riediger 14 February 1918
Children:
Leonhard - bom in Berdyansk about 1920, died in Kazakhstan
Peter - bom in Waldheim, Molotschna, 22 February 1923 (see separate listing)
Gerhard - bom 1925
The family first lived in Berdyansk, then in the unsettled times fled to the Molotschna, staying
in the Nebenhaus of the Johann Willms family in Hierschau, then moving to Waldheim,
where Peter was bom
They moved back to Berdyansk, where Peter spent his childhood
Father Leonhard was an agronomist, so the family was assigned to many different places,
therefore they moved a lot
He died about 1950 in Russia
Sudermann, N (probably Nikolai)
Signed the letter of thanks for food packages written by Elder Leonhard Sudermann in late 1922
Sudermann, Peter
Bom 1921 in Waldheim, Molotschna
His parents, Leonhard and Margaretha Sudermann, together with brother Johann, had fled
from Berdyansk to Hierschau in 1920, where they stayed in the Nebenhaus of the
Johann Willms family
They then moved to Waldheim in 1921
Eventually, in 1941, Peter was studying in a technical school in Berdyansk
He fled from Berdyansk to Melitopol, hoping to be in German-occupied territory sooner by
fleeing westward
The German advance stalled, so Peter hid in Melitopol for a week or two in the middle of
141
September 1941
Went back to Berdyansk. Eventually the German advance reached even there
Eventually escaped from Russia to Germany, studied medicine, and became a surgeon
Practiced in Winnipeg, Manitoba; he died peacefully 31 July 2006
Sukkau, Alexander
Vice Consul for Berdyansk, not sure which country
Escaped to Germany by 16 February 1921
Address: Koenigsfeld in Baden, Schwarzwald
Thiessen, David
Parents lived in Crimea, died when he was 7, then raised by foster-parents in Ohrloff,
Molotschna, Dorfschule in Ohrloff
Studied to be a teacher in Berdyansk , passed exams
Then went to teach in Burugan
Married Anna Warkentin of Ohrloff, 5 children, continued to teach in Burugan
1897 sold everything and moved to Tilentschie, then to Spat
Went to the south coast of Crimea the last time in 1923
Thiessen, Elisabeth
Widow
Request for food draft via Mennonitische Rundschau 7 June 1922
Looking for Heinrich Janzen, Mountain Lake, Minnesota
Tjahrt, Paul Peter
Formerly of Bergfeld near Polgi; originally from Poland; likely a refugee
Requested food draft via Mennonitische Rundschau 7 June 1922
Address: Selyonaya Street No 13
Looking for Abraham Reimer, formerly Hochfeld and Schoenau, Heinrich Thiessen formerly
Schoenau and Peter Siemens formerly Schoenwiese
Signed the letter of thanks for food packages written by Elder Leonhard Sudermann in late 1922
Toews, Johann Heinrich
(this particular family spelled the name Toevs, although the rest of the relatives were Toews)
Bom 19 April 1836 in Pordenau, Molotschna
Parents Heinrich Toews and Magdalena Jantzen
Married Maria Johann Rempel 27 March 1856
She was bom 18 October 1834 in Ellerwald, Prussia
Her parents were Johann P Rempel and Helena F Doerksen
Lived in Berdyansk
Children:
Helena - bom 15 March 1857, died 22 January 1858 in Berdyansk
Heinrich - bom 16 February 1859, baptized 10 June 1879 in Hillsboro, Kansas
Johann - bom 20 October 1861
Franz - born 3 October 1863
Peter - bom 31 May 1866
Abram - bom 15 March 1869, died 15 August 1873 in Berdyansk
Isbrand - bom 6 March 1871
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Maria - bora 23 January 1873
Immigrated to the USA, aboard the S S Hosatia, via Hamburg and Le Havre, landing in
New York 1 July 1874. They settled in Kansas
Helena - bora 5 June 1877 in Morris County, Kansas, baptized 7 June 1897, married
Cornelius I Enns, died 6 June 1920
Father Johann Heinrich Toews died 30 December 1913
Mother Maria died 19 August 1903 in Buhler, Kansas
Voth, Gerhard
Married Helene Sudermann
She was bom 21 September 1843
Parents Jacob Isaak Sudermann and Eva Unruh
Children:
Gerhard
David
Invited guests to the wedding of Heinrich Peter Bahnmann and Katharina Wiens on
11 January 1877
Voth, Heinrich
Invited guest to the wedding of Heinrich Peter Bahnmann and Katharina Wiens on
11 January 1877
Voth, Tobias
Bom 16 July 1791 in Brenkenhoffswalde, West Prussia
His father was a minister
Attended local school, but largely self-taught
Started teaching school in Prussia age 16
1822 called to teach at the Ohrloff Zentralschule
Sponsored reading and mission circles for adults
Had disagreement with Johann Comies, so he went to Schoenwiese, where he started his own
private school; difficult circumstances, very poor
Taught in secondary school on the Steinbach Estate
Was very talented in many fields, music, poetry
Made lasting impression on many students
Died in Berdyansk, exact date not known
Wagner, Albrecht Martin
He was a Prussian citizen
Married Elisabeth Ludwig Vetter
Daughter Alma - bom 14 September 1892 in Berdyansk, married Heinrich Martins
20 October 1918 in Ohrloff, Molotschna, he was bom on Estate Montanai, Crimea,
they lived in the Crimea, 4 children, immigrated to Brazil, Alma died 27 May 1974 in
Blumenau, Brazil, Heinrich died 17 December 1975 in Blumenau, Brazil
Wall, Jakob Peter
Likely bora on the Johannesheim Estate
Parents Peter and Maria Wall
Later, presumably after Peter died, Jakob and his older brother Johann were partner owners
143
of the estate, starting to manage it in 1891
They sold the estate in 1904 to be able to invest in the Tokmak Railway
At a meeting of the shareholders was elected vice-president of the executive 21 June 1911
Not absolutely sure that he had a residence in Berdyansk , though he certainly attended
board meetings in Berdyansk
Wall, Johann Peter
Bom 31 January 1867, likely on the Johannesheim Estate
Parents Peter and Maria Wall
Father died when he was age 14
Went to study 1 year in the United States
Johannes and his younger brother Jakob were partner owners of the Johannesheim Estate, which
they started to manage in 1891
Married Katharina Goossen 5 October 1897
She was bom 12 March 1897 probably on the Wintergruen Estate
Parents Martin and Elisabeth Goossen, living on the Wintergruen Estate
Moved to the Johannesheim Estate in 1893, where Martin was the manager
The couple lived on Johannesheim Estate
In 1904 sold the estate and moved to Gnadenfeld
Said to have sold the estate to invest in the Tokmak Railway
Moved to Berdyansk in 1911
At a meeting of the shareholders was elected to executive on 21 June 1911
Children:
2 children bom who died very young
Adopted 3 children
Maria Klein - stayed single, died in Berdyansk
Katharina Goossen (Katharina’s cousin) - married Abraham Kliewer in Canada,
5 children, died 1935 of tuberculosis
During the Russian Civil War left Berdyansk and fled to the Crimea in 1919
Immigrated to Ontario in 1924, then to Pigeon Lake, Manitoba in 1925
After 1930 active as a preacher
Johann died 19 August 1934 in Winnipeg, Manitoba
Katharina married Paul F Gross in 1935
Wall, Mr
Wife Maria Reimer
Lived in Berdyansk
Children:
Gerhard - bom 28 May 1870
Brother A J -
Sister Rena
Father died about February 1870
Mother died about 1873
The children immigrated to USA with 3 other orphans under the care of Rev Franz Ediger of
Hebron, Kansas
144
Franz Ediger, wife Aganetha with 5 children, including Gerhard, boarded the
S S Vaderland in Antwerp, arriving in Philadelphia 29 June 1877
Gerhard married Amalia Ruth 4 April 1897, 2 children, died 3 December 1947 in Halstead,
Kansas
Wall, Mr
Wife Mrs Wall
Son Fedor bom 1890
He was living at N B Spuck 307 in Berdyansk in 1942
Wall, Mr
Wife Mrs Wall
Lived in Berdyansk at least 1912 to 1915
Children:
Anna - bom 13 May 1912 in Berdyansk, living with Johann Wall, (likely her brother)
In Berdyansk in 1942
Johann - bom 30 December 1915 in Berdyansk, living at 11 Linie No7,
Berdyansk in 1942
Wall, Mr
Wife Mrs Wall
Daughter Anna bom 1917 in Berdyansk
Lived at N W Spuck 30 in Berdyansk in 1942
It is possible that Wall was her married name
Wall, Mr
Wife Mrs Wall
Daughter Elvira (Elfie) - bom 30 August 1923 in Berdyansk
Married Johann J Thiessen
He was bom 12 January 1915 in Bescharan, Crimea
They had 10 children, all bom in Ontario 1944 to 1959
Wall, Mr
Wife Mrs Wall
Daughter Maria bom 25 January 1905 in Berdyansk
She lived in Berdyansk at Chukovskaya 35 in 1942
It is possible that Wall was her married name
Wallmann, Mr
Wife Mrs Wallmann
Daughter Elisabeth - bom 1895 in Berdyansk
Lived at N B Spuck 15 in Berdyansk in 1942
It is possible that Wallmann was her married name
Warkentin, Gerhard
Wife Maria
Lived in Berdyansk in 1882
Wedel, Benjamin
Bom about 1823
Wife Carolina - bom about 1833
145
Originally listed as living with Friederich Kunkel of Waldheim, Molotschna Farm No 50
Moved from Waldheim to Berdyansk by 1851
Watchmaker in Berdyansk by 1851
Wedel, Mr
Wife Mrs Wedel
Daughter Amalia - bom 7 February 1886 in Berdyansk
Lived at Savodshaya in Berdyansk in 1942
It is possible that Wedel was her married name
Wiebe, Abraham
Wife Mrs Wiebe
Wealthy person who moved in from Rudnerweide
Built a rather large home and offered the second story as a meeting place for Sunday services,
likely about 1845-1863
Wiebe, Abraham
Bom about 1824
Married Margaretha Huebert about 1850
She was bom 10 November 1824 in Margenau, Molotschna
Parents Peter Klaas and Margaretha Huebert
Lived in Berdyansk
Children:
Margaretha - bom 4 March 1853 in Berdyansk, baptized 1872 in Berdyansk, immigrated
to Kansas, likely before 1876, married Peter F Pauls 29 January 1879, 7 children,
Peter died after 1890, Margaretha married Gerhard Fast, Gerhard died
8 August 1907, Margaretha died 31 January 1908 in Hillsboro, Kansas
Abraham - bom 14 July 1857
Elisabeth - bom 26 October 1860. baptized 1878 in Bruderthal, Kansas, married
Aron A Regehr 13 March 1883, 10 children, Elisabeth died 31 October 1928,
Aron died 8 November 1939, both in Inman, Kansas
Nikolai (Nicklaus) - bom 26 January 1862
Father Abraham died about 1862
The family immigrated to Kansas, likely before 1877
Mother Margaretha died in Inman, Kansas
Wiebe, Abram
Son of Sara Wiebe (nee Ediger)
Lawyer, shot and killed in 1920
Wiebe, Abram
Bom 17 November 1901 in Blumenort, Molotschna
Parents Peter Wiebe and Elisabeth Dirks
Lived in Schardau and Blumenort
Peter Wiebe died February 1920 in South Russia
Abram died 1922 in Berdyansk
Wiebe, Jakob
Bom about 1822
146
Father Johann Wiebe of Farm No 26 in Rudnerweide, Molotschna
Moved from Rudnerweide to Berdyansk by 1852
Operated a treadmill
Wiebe, Peter
Wife Mrs Wiebe
Son Peter
17 year old Peter, in the sixth class of the local Gymnasiun, injured in a bathing
accident in August of 1909, and died two days later
In July of 1914 new applications for the Mennonite Elementary School were to be handed
in to Teacher Peter Wiebe
Teacher from at least 1909 to 1922
One of three members of a committee established to distribute food packages in Berdyansk
in March 1922
Wiebe, Peter Jakob
In 1922 lived in Berdyansk, requested food packages via the Mennonitische Rundschau,
31 May 1922
Address: Kolonie, 2te Linie
Looking for Abraham Braeul of Newton, Kansas
Wieler, Bernhard
Invited guest to the wedding of Heinrich Peter Bahnmann and Katharina Wiens on
11 January 1877
Wiens, Bernhard
Bom 1853 in the Molotschna Colony
Married Katharina Huebert
Her parents were Abraham Huebert and Margaretha Langemann
Children:
Helena - bom 18 August 1894 in Berdyansk
Married Abraham J Voth, 2 children
Died 10 July 1944 in Winnipeg, Manitoba
Bernhard died 1922
Wiens, D
Together with Mr H Janzen owned the Wiens and Janzen Rope Factory
Later purchased by Peter Riediger
Wiens, Johann
Invited guest to the wedding of Heinrich Peter Bahnmann and Katharina Wiens on
11 January 1877
Wiens, Julius
Bom about 1824
Father Johann Wiens, Farm No 10 in Ohrloff
Moved from Ohrloff to Berdyansk
Merchant in Berdyansk by 1852, managing a business in a kiosk
Wiens, Mr
Wife Mrs Wiens
147
Daughter Aganetha (Natascha) - bom 30 July 1909 in Berdyansk, family probably
immigrated to Canada in 1926, Aganetha married Hermann A Koop in Canada in 1943,
3 children, Aganetha died 13 April 1982
Wiens, Nikolai Johann
Bom 28 October 1819 in the Molotschna, likely in Ohrloff
Parents Johann Wiens and Susanna Reimer
Married Margaretha Janzen 6 December 1845
She was bom 27 February 1827 in Schoensee, Molotschna
Parents Heinrich Peter Janzen and Anna Hamm
Her parents later owned Estate Silberfeld
Heinrich and Anna Janzen had 6 children, of whom Margaretha was the youngest
Michael Janzen was the oldest child in the family
After the marriage the couple lived in Berdyansk
Nikolai was a grain merchant; there were huge granaries on the yard
Is said to have owned at least 8 properties in Berdyansk
Children:
Susanna - bom 22 November 1846 in Berdyansk, married Isbrand Peter Rempel
18 January 1867 (see separate listing of Isbrand Rempel), had son Nikolai,
Susanna died 25 April 1869 in Berdyansk
Anna - bom 29 January 1850 in Berdyansk, married David Schroeder of Mariawohl,
Molotschna on 4 August 1870, lived in Berdyansk
Had at least 9 children: Nikolai, Heinrich, Peter, Anna, Margaretha, Maria,
David, Wilhelm, Alexander; some died early in childhood
Husband David died 1895 in Berdyansk, leaving Anna with 8 children
In 1927 three of the children still alive: Peter, Margaretha, Maria
Margaretha - bom 21 April 1854 in Berdyansk , married Hermann Voth
Lived in Berdyansk in their early married life, then moved to Kuban
Children: 5 girls, 3 boys
Maria - married Heinrich Komelsen, 4 children, died young
Anna - married Johann G Martens, 4 children, Anna died age 31,
all 4 children eventually moved to BC
Margaretha - died 5 November 1895
Maria - bom 5 December 1855 in Berdyansk (see listing of Dietrich Guenther)
Married her cousin Dietrich Guenther 12 July 1879. It was his second marriage
They lived in Berdyansk
Children:
Nikolai - bom 1880, married, large family by 1927
Daughter - bom 1881, died 1882
Dietrich - bom 1882, died 1883
Maria died 28 December 1882
Katharina - bom 7 March 1859 in Berdyansk (see separate entry Regier, Katharina
Nikolai (nee Wiens))
Mother Margaretha ill again in July 1859, went to Nassau, a colony village, to be treated,
148
without success
Margaretha’s father, Heinrich Janzen, died 13 September 1867. The Wienses went to the
funeral
Margaretha died 10 September 1874 in Berdyansk
Nikolai died 29 July 1883 in Berdyansk
Wiens, Peter
Bom about 1835
Father Daniel Wiens of Farm No 26 of Tiege, Molotschna
Peter moved from Marienthal, Molotschna to Berdyansk by 1852
Worked as miller’s assistant
Willems, Mr
Wife Mrs Willems
Daughter Katharina - bom 1885 in Berdyansk
She lived in Berdyansk at Sadovaya 59 in 1942
It is possible that Willems was her married name
Willms, Anna Peter
In 1922 lived in Berdyansk; requested food packages via the Mennonitische Rundschau,
31 May 1922
Address: Kolonie 2te Linie, No 3
Looking for Aron Wiens
Willms, Franz M
Bom 25 December 1852
Second Wife Anna Rempel, daughter of Isbrand Rempel and Katharina Wiens
Franz was killed by the Bolsheviks 27 October 1921
Blind, Anna continued to live in the same house where her husband had been killed
Willms, H
Wife Mrs Willms
H Willms died before 1877 leaving his wife a widow
Widow H Willms was an invited guest to the wedding of Heinrich Peter Bahnmann and
Katharina Wiens on 11 January 1877
Willms, Jakob
Invited guest to the wedding of Heinrich Peter Bahnmann and Katharina Wiens on
11 January 1877
Willms, Peter
Invited guest to the wedding of Heinrich Peter Bahnmann and Katharina Wiens on
11 January 1877
Willms, Peter Peter
Requested food draft via Mennonitische Rundschau 7 June 1922
Address: Kolonie 2te Linie
X, Mr (name not revealed by Elder Leonhard Sudermann in his story)
One person, who eagerly attended Berdyansk Mennonite Church meetings, but was not even
a member, seems to have had a special talent to produce trouble. He had his own children
baptized in a colony church, probably in the Molotschna
149
When the building committee for the church building had decided that the size of the sanctuary
should be 9 by 5 fathoms “a member who had a special talent for causing disruption in
the congregation utilized his talents in order to hinder construction.” The building
committee was dismissed, but eventually the structure was built by the replacement
committee, the first services in the new church being held in 1863
After Elder Leonhard Sudermann was elected this man watched him very carefully, and
detected that he had committed an administrative error. He complained to brothers the
next day, and added, “Such a man is not worthy of his office.” The brothers reported this
to the Elder, and advised him to repair the breach quickly. He went directly to the man,
and said that he agreed with him entirely. This obviously caught Mr X by surprise and at
first he had little to say. Finally he admitted that if Sudermann had that insight he was
content. He then invited the Elder in for a cup of tea.
Mr X was well-educated and worked in an office as a secretary for a long time. He later
prepared the documents addressed to the high authorities which resulted in the expulsion
of Cornelius Janzen and Isaak Peters from the Russian Empire. There was also proof
that had Elder Sudermann not immigrated when he did, an exit visa would have arrived
on his doorstep courtesy of the same gentleman.
When taken to task for these actions he apparently said that he considered it his duty to perform
them
Y, Mr
Wife Mrs Y
Owned a windmill in Berdyansk, but business was not doing too well
Through a Berdyansk development company were able to purchase 150 dessiatines of land
in Ogus-Tobe, Crimea
Using 7 pair of oxen they took all their belongings and the dismantled mill, and moved to
Ogus-Tobe in May 1883
At least another 4 relatives also moved to Ogus-Tobe and area at about the same time
150
PEOPLE LIVING IN BERDYANSK IN 1942
Anna Falk - Sredniy 18
Helena Falk - 7 Linie No 7
Elisabeth Federau - Sadovaya 59
Maria Friesen - Vaksalia 28
Natalia Hildebrand - Arbeiterdig 4
Anastasia Hildebrandt - N B Spuck 1
Friederich Hildebrandt - Schkolnaya 4
Nikolai Hildebrand - N B Spuck 10
Klara Klassen - Vostotsch Prospect 19
Bernhard Krueger - Sobomaya 1
Maria Martens - Ukrainskaya 8
Fedor Wall - N B Spuck 307
Anna Wall - 11 Linie No 7
Anna Wall - N W Spuck 30
Johann Wall - 11 Linie No 7
Maria Wall - Chukovskaya 35
Elisabeth Wallmann - N B Spuck 15
Amalia Wedel - Savodshaya
Katharina Willems - Sadovaya 59
151
Nikolai Wiens family portrait
Standing: Katharina, Nikolai, Maria
Seated: Margaretha, Margaretha (mother)
and Anna. Odessa, 1871
Nikolai and Margaretha (nee Janzen) Wiens
Anna Klassen and Katharina Wiens
On Anna’s wedding day
21 April 1874
Heinrich and Katharina Bahnmann
Wedding portrait, 11 January 1977
Minister Peter Martin Riediger
Isbrand Isbrand Friesen
Amy Greaves and Jakob Sudermann
1900
Amy Greaves Sudermann
on the estate
Gerhard and Maria Warkentin
in 1882
Johann and Katharina (nee Goossen) Wall
David Heinrich Epp
Editor of Der Botschafter
154
Three generations of Rempels in Berdyansk, 1885
Patriarch Peter Peter Rempel in the centre
Back row 1-r: Anna (nee Rempel) Willms and husband Franz Willms, son Jakob Rempel
and wife, son Peter Rempel
Front row 1-r: son Johann Rempel and wife Elisabeth (nee Huebert), son Isbrand Rempel,
Peter Peter Rempel and his second wife Elisabeth Wiens, Margaretha, wife of son Peter
Sitting in front: Nikolai Isbrand Rempel, son of Isbrand Rempel
155
Three Generations of Rempels
Peter Peter Rempel and second
wife Elisabeth Wiens, 1869
Isbrand Peter Rempel and wife
Susanna (nee Wiens), 1869
Nikolai Isbrand Rempel, 1896
156
MENNONITE INSTITUTIONS
Der Botschafter
This Mennonite periodical was published twice a week
It was initiated in an attempt to bond together Mennonites who were scattered throughout
Russia, starting during a period of unrest and revolution in the country
Chief editor was David H Epp, with the help of H A Ediger
It usually had 6 pages, sometimes 8, with 2-4 pages of advertising
It presented religious and devotional material, but also discussed events of the day in the
fields of politics, education and science
The first issue appeared 13 August 1905, printed in Ekaterinoslav by Publisher Johann
Thiessen of Ekaterinoslav
Frequent strikes in Ekaterinoslav, as well as other difficulties, made it necessary to transfer
printing to Berdyansk in 1907, where H A Ediger was the publisher
In 1911 cost 5 mbles per year, 3 rubles for half a year, and 50 kopecs for a month
Together with all other German journals, it ceased publication in 1914 at the beginning of
World War I. Despite carrying very patriotic articles and reports, even after the onset
of hostilities, the last issue allowed to be published seems to have been that of
28 October 1914
Deutsches Krankenhaus
Hospital opened by Dr Franz Dyck in Berdyansk, official opening on 15 February 1913
Advertised in Der Botschfter 4 January 1914
Elementary School
The school probably existed from the early 1850s to at least 1922
David Goerz was teacher in the Mennonite elementary school 1869-1873
July 1914 it was announced that additional teaching strength was being added to teach
Russian language
July 1914 applications for entering the school were to be given to Teacher P Wiebe
Peter Wiebe was a teacher from at least 1909 to 1922
Mennonite Brethren and Berdyansk
Eduard Hugo Otto Wuest was pastor of a Separated Evangelical Brotherhood Church
at Neuhoffnung, near Berdyansk. He moved there from Germany in 1845. Revival
broke out in the villages surrounding Berdyansk because of his ministry
He inspired a circle of ministers “ Wuestische Brueder ” with his sermons, conferences and
Bible studies. This group included Leonhard Sudermann, Jakob Buhler and Hermann
Sudermann of Berdyansk
Johann Claassen, who would later be one of the founders of the Mennonite Brethren Church,
was active in organizing a Bruderschule in Gnadenfeld. In this regard he travelled to
St Petersburg and Reval in 1854 in the company of four younger brothers. Included were
157
Wilhelm Bartel and Hermann Sudermann of Berdyansk
Bartel was originally from Gnadenfeld, then moved to Berdyansk. He was strongly influenced
by Wuest, but also by a radical charismatic named Kappes. Bartel was in the original
group to separate from the Gnadenfeld Mennonite Church, but signed 2 documents which
basically asked about a reconciliation. He participated in the Froehliche Richtung
Johann Claassen travelled from the Molotschna to St Peterburg on a number of occasions,
sometimes going via Berdyansk. It was going in the opposite direction from his planned
destination, but it confused the spies who were watching him. He also sent his mail via
Berdyansk, because he was convinced his letters were being opened in the Molotschna
In 1861 Johann Claassen sent a letter to “the dear brothers and sisters in Berdyansk and
in the Molotschna” pointing to the pitfalls of the Froehliche Richtung. Bartel was
probably not the only one referred to in Berdyansk
Berdyansk was the regional centre, so the court was based there. Johann Claassen was in
court in Berdyansk on 14 May 1864 regarding legal questions relating to the Kuban
settlement in the Caucasus
Mennonite Church
Abraham Isaak Sudermann had been a church leader in West Prussia, and was ordained as
Elder of the Heubuden congregation in 1823.
Sudermann moved to Berdyansk in 1841, and after he built a treadmill to secure his livelihood,
he turned his efforts to church work.
He began to hold Sunday services in a large room in his own house; attendance was good.
Abraham Wiebe from Rudnerweide moved to Berdyansk; he built a rather large home and
offered the second story as a meeting place for Sunday services.
The Wiebe home was used for several years, but in time even that became too small
When a school was built the classroom was used; when the congregation gradually increased
extra benches ensured that there was enough room, although the seats were not always
comfortable
Many of the Mennonites of Berdyansk were members of the Pordenau Mennonite Church,
so the initial affiliation was with that congregation and its elder, Heinrich Toews.
Toews considered it his duty to periodically minister to the Berdyansk congregation. In 1848
Toews held a ministerial election in that city, to provide supervision and nurture for his
members. Isbrand Isbrand Friesen, originally from Tiegenhagen, Molotschna, was
elected. David Fast, formerly from Rudnerweide, was elected deacon. From 1848 on, the
two ministers alternately led the worship services
In 1853 there were 47 members
1857 mentioned affiliation with Pordenau Mennonite Church, with Isbrand Isbrand Friesen
minister of this congregation
On 30 September 1859 Leonhard Abraham Sudermann elected as minister, with 79 votes
Election occurred in Gnadenfeld, and his inaugural sermon was held there
In the early 1850s some need expressed for a new church building
Had provided enough room beside the school to allow for a church to be built
Began organizing a fund drive in Prussia, but also received funds from Molotschna,
158
Chortitza and from local members
Building committee started construction of a foundation in 1858
Dispute about proposed length of the building, building committee dismissed
Finally building began again
Held first worship service in their “solidly built brick church” on the first day of
Pentecost in 1863. By the time everything was completed it was totally paid for
Elections held 27 July 1864 under the supervision of Elder Dietrich Warkentin of Lichtenau
Elected were ministers Bernhard Buhler and Cornelius Friesen, and deacon David
Hiebert (Huebert)
All “did not hesitate to follow the call of the Lord”
9 August 1864 Buhler preached his inaugural sermon, Friesen not until the first Advent
Early September 1865 Leonhard Sudermann elected as elder, and church became
administratively independent
Elder Sudermann started Sunday afternoon baptismal classes, and Bible classes for children,
the first Sunday School held by Mennonites in Russia
Gradually Sudermann was able to obtain the confidence of the whole congregation
Sudermann immigrated to USA in 1876, Bernhard Buhler and David Huebert in 1877
Cornelius Friesen died a few years later
Due to lack of leadership the church lost its independence a few years later
Abraham Jantzen appointed minister by Gnadenfeld in 1881, serving the congregation
Sunday mornings, while an elder from the Molotschna presided over baptism and
communion
Leonhard Jakob Sudermann was appointed “leader” in 1903
Bible Conference 5-7 October 1908, attended by Gerhard Harder. It was reported to have
been a time of blessing (eine gesegnete Gemeinschaftskonferenz)
In 1910 the Rudnerweide elder served Berdyansk
23-25 August 1911 General Conference of Mennonite Churches in Russia was in Berdyansk
Minister Peter Riediger is listed as a correspondent for Friedensstimme in December 1912
He was a minister of the Berdyansk Mennonite Church, being listed as in charge of
some of the services in 1913
By October 1914 Leonhard Jakob Sudermann was called the elder
At the start of World War I, end of September 1914, the Mennonite Church, under the
leadership of Elder Leonard Sudermann, held a special meeting. They prayed for the
Czar and country and for victory for the Russian armed forces. The prayers were based
on the Bible passage, “How much does the Lord love the people.” The Mennonite
Elementary School participated in the service
Famine in 1922; 3 members of the congregation starved to death
Elder Leonhard Sudermann was one of the three chosen to distribute food vouchers
In late 1922 Leonhard Sudermann was still the Elder, David H Epp a minister, Abraham
Sudermann a minister and Reinhard Kerber a deacon
Berdyansk was visited by David M Hofer, likely in early 1923. He found that the local
Mennonite congregation had a very nice church building and an active spiritual leader.
He was able to greet the local church community and to tell them about the origin and
159
further development of the helping agency (MCC)
Not sure how the church functioned after 1923
No representative was sent to the General Conference held in Moscow January 1925
It is likely that Elder Sudermann and his family were banished to Kazakhstan
The church building no longer exists (2006)
Realschule
In 1905 Abraham Abraham Neufeld, principal of the Chortitza Zentralschule from 1890-1905,
moved to Berdyansk to allow better opportunities for the education of his children
He started his own Realschule , which was granted the rights of a government-operated
school
Offered enhanced classes in Religion and German; Religion taught by Elder Leonhard
Sudermann
In the 1906 school year only 27 “German” students
In 1906 received permission to establish a fund to help poor students attend
Neufeld died of a stroke 9 January 1909
Peter Peter Fast was appointed to replace him
19 February 1912 the Realschule had a literary musical evening, which showed that in both
fields the students were very proficient. Teacher of Russian language, Mr Vassilykovo,
presented a well received talk about a Russian poet.
In 1912 negotiations were underway between the city and P P Fast, for the government to
take over the management of the school. This was warmly supported by the
governor of Taurida province. It was hoped the takeover would occur 1 January 1913,
or at the latest by 1 July 1913
7 July 1914 Fast was confirmed as Director of the by then government controlled Realschule
Red Cross Committee
This committee, likely consisting mainly of Mennonites, held its first meeting on
20 July 1914, shortly after declaration of war, the start of World War I
Heinrich A Ediger was the local treasurer of the committee
Plans were laid to raise funds to care for wounded and sick soldiers, but also to help the
families of those who were away from home because of the war
Brochures were to be printed and distributed, and articles placed in newspapers to emphasize
the need
The German Russians were encouraged to express their loyalty, and to pray for the Russian
Fatherland
A special meeting of Mennonites held 30 July 1914 decided to sew linens to help the families
of those at war, and to collect money to support the Red Cross Committee.
P Sudermann was to be the contact person
After 1903 Peter Franz Dick taught at a Mennonite school in Berdyansk
He was also, as of December 1912, one of the contributing writers for Friedensstimme
160
MENNONITE EVENTS
Wedding Ceremony Tuesday 11 January 1877
Katharina Wiens was born 19 March 1859 in Berdyansk. She was the fifth and youngest
daughter of Nikolai Wiens and Margaretha Janzen. Nikolai Wiens was a wealthy
grain merchant. Katharina had chronic troubles with her eyes and was treated at a
number of clinics in Russia and Europe. Her mother was also ill, going to a number of
spas in Germany and Austria, but she died a few months after these treatments,
10 September 1874.
Heinrich Peter Bahnmann was bom 29 October 1852 in Berdyansk. He was the youngest of
three sons of Peter Jakob Bahnmann and Maria Kaethler. Although Heinrich was
more than six years older than Katharina, they became close friends. The friendship
even withstood separation for some time when Heinrich was in the Kuban. Heinrich’s
father asked for official consent for the marriage from Katharina’s father in the autumn of
1876 - and it was given.
Invitations for the wedding were sent out to a wide circle of friends, including every single
Mennonite household in Berdyansk. According to Katharina, “Papa didn’t want to leave
anyone out.” As was the practice a Polter Abend was held the evening before when
friends got together to honour the couple.
On the wedding day the couple and relatives went to the photographers, then to the church
at noon for the wedding ceremony, which was performed by Minister Bernhard Buhler.
After the ceremony the whole company went by sled to the Wiens residence, where they
were served coffee, buns and cakes. In the late evening the family had a supper.
Many of the relatives of both families lived in the colonies or on estates; many of these
people had not been able to attend the wedding because there was a lot of snow, and
the weather was cold.
After the marriage the new couple bought a farm in Rudnerweide, Molotschna, then after three
years sold the farm and returned to Berdyansk, where they spent the next twelve years.
The list of the family names of the Berdyansk people invited to the wedding is:
Widow Abrams, Peter Bahnmann, David Bartel, Jakob Derksen, David Dirks,
Maria Dirks (1 person), Isaak Dueck, Jakob Dueck, Johann Dueck, Abram Ediger,
Peter Ediger, Abram Enns, Wilhelm Ewert, David Fast, Aaron Fehderau, Jakob Fehderau
Johann Fehderau, Salomon Fehderau, Florence (?), Cornelius Friesen, Heinrich Friesen,
Hermann Friesen, Isbrand Friesen, Peter Friesen, Johann Funk, Dietrich Guenther,
Barbara Harder (1 person), Nikolai Harder, David Hiebert (Huebert), Dietrich
Hiebert (Huebert), Johann Hiebert (Huebert), Gerhard Hildebrand, Abram Janzen,
Cornelius Janzen, Michael Janzen, Cornelius Klassen, David Kaethler, Thomas Koop,
D Loewen, Jakob Neufeld, Peter Neufeld, Peter Neufeld, Jakob Penner, Peter Quiring,
Jakob Rempel, Peter Rempel, Widow Abram Schmidt, David Schroeder, H Spenst,
Hermann Sudermann, Isaak Sudermann, Jacob Sudermann, Gerhard Voth, Heinrich Voth,
Bernhard Wieler, Johann Wiens, Franz Willms, Widow H Willms, Jakob Willms,
Peter Willms
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Bible Conference 5-7 October 1908
A Gemeinschaftskonferenz (Fellowship conference) was advertized in a number of issues of
Friedensstimme
It was felt that in the past God’s people had benefitted by studying His word, gaining new
insights and strength for the Christian life.
The subject for discussion on these days was to be:
The Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ
(Galatians 6:14)
1. Its importance for God
2. Its importance for the world
3. Its importance for the Church of God
Prayer meeting 8:30 AM, morning session 9:30-11:30 AM, afternoon session 3-5 PM,
evening evangelistic service 7 PM
Itinerant Minister ( Reiseprediger ) Gerhard Harder participated in this conference. He wrote:
“For three days we looked towards Golgatha and studied the meaning of the death of Jesus...
This was a wonderful, deeply stirring time. We saw new and beautiful things about the one
who was the best of mankind. After such days it was easy to sing, “In the depth of my heart
your name and cross glow all the time, every hour. Of this I can be happy.” This spirit spills
over when, from the time of blessing, it is back to work.”
General Conference of Mennonite Churches in Russia held in Berdyansk on
23-25 August 1911
Announcement of the conference was printed in Friedensstimme August 17 when permission
was finally given to hold the conference.
41 churches were represented by 147 delegates.
Delegates were greeted by the local elder, Leonhard Sudermann. He expressed thanks that the
government had allowed the conference to proceed. Using Joshua 5:13-15 he emphasized
that when God assigned a task, he also gave the strength to carry it out.
Elder Heinrich Unruh was the keynote speaker, since the designated Elder Heinrich Dirks had
at the last moment been prevented from attending. Unruh, using Revelation 3:7-12 as
text, felt that the encouragement for the present and the future given the church in
Philadelphia could apply equally well to the situation in Russia. A definite lack at the
time was felt to be a dearth of preachers in the churches.
The process of registration and the closing of churches was of considerable concern. Delegates
felt that the government should be reminded of the privileges Mennonites had concerning
their churches, with legislation that had existed for over 100 years. It was suggested that
a friendly member of the Duma could best emphasize this.
Lack of enough trained ministers was of some concern. Special study courses, and even a
seminary were considered.
Reports were heard from Bethania (Jakob Sudermann of Apanlee), and the Forestry Alternate
Service.
The question of Mennonites marrying non-Mennonites was discussed. The executive was
asked to obtain advice as to the legal status of such marriages.
162
The local congregation was thanked for the love and hospitality they had shown.
Elder Peter Friedrichsen of Busaw-Aktatschi concluded the conference with a sermon based on
Psalm 113:1-7.
The conference felt that the problem of training ministers was acute enough to ask for the
publication of one of the sermons on the subject, that of Johann Klassen. The complete
text was published in Friedensstimme - “ Vorbereitung and Ausbildnng der Prediger. ”
The conference was attended by itinerant minister Elder Hermann A Neufeld and his two sons,
Hermann and Komelius. They thoroughly enjoyed their tours of the city and its busy
harbour.
Famine of 1922
Report of the Delegate of the Berdyansk Mennonite Church about the needs of the place:
“At this time 190 Mennonites live in Berdyansk, some of whom are permanent residents, but the
majority are refugees. Until 1 January 1922 most have, with difficulty, been able to manage,
partly by selling off their personal clothing, linens and furniture. A few had positions in
government institutions. But since many of the institutions were liquidated 1 January, and in
those remaining the employment has been reduced by up to 70%; the majority is now totally
without means. At this point only 6 members are employed. Since the prices of most
commodities are rising, the situation for most is catastrophic. Three members of the church have
already starved to death. The help we have received to date consists of 24 packages received
from friends in America and a one time help from Mr Willing consisting of 14 packages, 15 pud
beans and one barrel of herring. Until now all requests for additional help from the American
and Dutch action committees have been refused. Because of our distance from the colonies we
have not been written into the overall lists. It is impossible to find work. Some of us have found
day labour in the gardens; the wages paid by the employers consist of a breakfast of tea without
sugar and some bread, for midday meal cabbage soup with water, and for supper again tea
without sugar and some bread. This the wage for a 12-hour work day. That it is impossible to
feed a whole family under these circumstances is self-evident. Many have, those who still have
property, broken-down buildings to use for fuel (a pud of coal costs 800,000 rubles), and also to
barter for food. If we do not receive help in the near future many are facing death by starvation.”
The Delegate, Johann Doerksen, 17 June 1922
Published in the Mennonitische Rundschau 13 September 1922, p 11
Nikolai Schroeder of Berdyansk, brother of Margaretha Schroeder, was reported to have died of
starvation in April or early May, 1922
Visit by David IVf Hofer of Chicago
David Hofer was involved with the distribution of MCC food and clothing during the
famine of 1922 and 1923. After this work was completed he also held a series of evangelistic
meetings in South Russia. He briefly visited Berdjansk sometime before August 1923, and
reported on his time in the city.
“The city, is of course, on the Sea of Azov, and is well situated and clean. Here we found a
group of about 150 Mennonites, who, in the time of greatest need, required the help of the
163
American Mennonite Relief. Now, however, the situation has improved somewhat, so that only
the poorest widows with small children require food. The local Mennonite congregation has a
very nice church building and an active spiritual leader. We were able to greet the local church
community and to tell them about the origin and further development of the helping agency.
Here we also found ruins from the time of the last years of war. Many a previously wealthy
owner now is reduced to living in a small adjoining room, which now serves as the livingroom.
The outlook for crops, especially winter wheat, is good in this region.”
Letter of thanks for the help of the North American Mennonites
A letter of thanks for the help given to the Berdyansk Mennonites in their distress during
the famine was written by Elder Leonhard Sudermann, likely in late 1922, and was published in
the Mennonitische Rundschau 14 November 1923. It was signed by 28 others, many of whom
were leaders in the Mennonite community at the time.
“Today it is eight months since the first food packages arrived from our brothers in America - on
the first day of Easter (Easter that year was April 1, so it was probably seven months). In time
more packages followed. What that meant for us is hard to describe, but it will not be forgotten
by us or our children, and will be recorded in our history.
Before we bid this, in many ways difficult, but also noteworthy and blessing filled year
farewell, we express heartfelt thanks to our brothers across the ocean for the love they have
shown us, for every gift sent to us - you have done a great thing.
We are also thankful for those who were willing to give of their time and energy for this
great work of love. God reward them all, unto their children and future generations, here on this
earth and in eternity. We covet your love as we approach the New Year. May we soon be self-
sufficient and be able to produce enough food for ourselves.
Leonhard Sudermann, Elder
David H Epp, minister, A Sudermann, minister, A Sudermann (Senior), R Kerber, deacon, Micka
Mathis, Komelius Heidebrecht, G Heidebrecht, Anna Federau, D Heidebrecht, J Heidebrecht,
A Dyck, Suse Heidebrecht, N Sudermann, Susi Heinrichs, Paul P Tjahrt, Agathe Fast, Peter
Schroeder, H Federau, D Friesen, M Tscherez (Tcheretz), E V Sudermann, K Janzen,
E Sudermann, Abr Jantzen, M Dyck, H Doerksen, J Doerksen, Kat Dyck
164
MIGRATION TO THE UNITED STATES
AND CANADA IN THE 1870S
Elder Leonhard Sudermann was the leader and speaker for the Molotschna delegation sent to St
Petersburg in February, 1871, to negotiate possible terms for the Mennonites regarding
avoidance of military service
The delegates were:
Elder Leonhard Sudermann from Berdyansk
Peter Goerz of the Rudnerweide Church
Franz Isaak of the Ohrloff Church
Hermann Janzen, Halbstadt Volost secretary
The lack of success of these discussions played a part in Elder Sudermann’s
determination to migrate to North America
People who migrated directly from Berdyansk to North America (mostly the USA)
Bahnmann, Cornelius Cornelius
Wife Katharina Sudermann
Cornelius
Jakob
Katharina
Franz
Heinrich
Anna
Aron
Peter
Johann
Susanna
Helena
Family migrated to Canada on the S S Quebec , landing in Quebec 23 June 1876
At least some of the family lived in Kleinstadt, Manitoba, where Anna died 4 August 1897
Bahnmann, Jakob
Wife Margaretha Fast
Jakob
Peter
Margaretha
Justina
Katharina
Abram
Anna
Jakob Bahnmann family on ship list of 22 July 1875, arriving in Ontario or Manitoba
Subsequently on lists of Reinlaender Gemeinde Buck 1880-1903
165
Bergen, Jakob
Wife Helena Rempel
Aganetha
Elisabeth
Helena
Gerhard
Katharina
Anna
Maria
Sarah
Departed Hamburg and Le Havre on the S S Cimbria , arrived in New York 27 August 1874
Likely settled in Enid, Oklahoma
Buhler, Bernhard Abraham
Wife Anna Penner
Abraham
Bernhard
Maria
Elisabeth
Johann
Departed Antwerp on the S S Vaderland , arrived in Philadelphia 29 June 1977
Settled in Buhler, Kansas
Enns, Jakob
Wife Maria Sommerfeld
Jakob
Maria
Margaretha
Departed Hamburg and Le Havre on the S S Holsatia , arriving in New York 1 July 1874
Settled in Kansas, possibly Goessel
Entz, Abraham Isaak
Wife Agatha Thiessen
Abraham
Margaretha
Isaak
Jakob
Agathe
Maria
Aganetha
Johann
Departed Hamburg and Le Havre on the S S Holsatia , arrived in New York 1 July 1874
Settled in Kansas
Hiebert, David
Wife Sara Penner
Agatha
166
Sara
Katharina
Jakob
Elisabeth
Anna
Departed Antwerp on the S S Vaderland , arrived Philadelphia 29 June 1877
Settled in Mountain Lake, Minnesota
Hiebert (also called Huebert), Gerhard
Wife Susanna Enns
Jakob
Elisabeth
Gerhard
David
Susanna
Departed Antwerp on the S S Kenilworth, arrived in New York 17 July 1876
Settled in Mountain Lake, Minnesota
Hiebert (also called Huebert), Peter
Wife Anna Janzen
Peter
Jacob
Heinrich
Nikolai (Nickolaus)
Abraham
Departed Hamburg and Le Havre on the S' S Holsatia, arriving in New York 1 July 1874
Settled in Kansas
Janzen, Cornelius
(he changed his name to Jansen around this time)
Wife Helena von Riesen
Margaretha
Peter
Anna
Johann
Helena
Heinrich (changed name to Cornelius about this time)
Anna von Riesen
Deported from Russia, actually leaving the country by train from Odessa 30 May 1873,
eventually landing in Quebec, Canada
Lohrenz, Heinrich
Wife Katharina Wiebe
Katharina
Jacob
Maria
Gertruda
167
Justina
Departed Antwerp on the S S Switzerland, arriving in Philadelphia 24 June 1879
Settled in Henderson, Nebraska
Nickel, Abram
Wife Helena Bahnmann
Migrated 1875, settling in Mountain Lake, Minnesota
Quiring, Johann
Wilhelm
Adelgrunde
Johann
Margaretha
Rosalie (Rosa)
Widower Johann with children boarded the S S Frisia and sailed Hamburg and Le Havre,
landing in New York 22 July 1874
They settled in Kansas
Quiring, Wilhelm
Wife Sara Sudermann
Abraham
Maria
Margaretha
Elisabeth
Migrated, likely directly from Berdyansk, possibly in 1873, settling in Newton, Kansas
Rempel, Johann
Wife Maria Thiessen
Helena
Maria
Anna
Elisabeth
Heinrich
Agatha
Johann
Katharina
Departed Hamburg and Le Havre on the S S Holsatia, arriving in New York 1 July 1874
Daughter Aganetha was bom 6 July 1874, likely still on the way
Settled in Kansas
Rempel, Johann Peter
Wife Elisabeth Huebert
Johann
Jakob
Maria
Peter
Elisabeth
Departed Hamburg and Le Havre on the S S Holsatia, arriving in New York 1 July 1874
168
Settled in Marion County, Kansas, likely Hillsboro
Riesen, (von Riesen), Rudolf Hermann
Wife Katharina Friesen
Rudolf
Gertrude
Heinrich
Katharina
Agatha
Agnes
Johann
Friedrich
Departed from Hamburg and Le Havre on the S S Frisia , landing in New York 29 May 1873
Settled in Hillsboro, Kansas
Sudermann, Hermann W
Wife Elisabeth Ediger
Abraham
Maria
Anna
Sara
Hermann
Salomon
Departed from Bremen aboard the S S Nuernberg , arriving in New York 26 May 1885
Settled in Newton, Kansas
Sudermann, Elder Leonhard Abraham
Wife Maria Sudermann
Foster daughter Elise Jantzen
Departed from Bremen aboard the S S Main, arriving in New York 21 August 1876
Eventually settled in Whitewater, Kansas
Toews, Johann Heinrich
Wife Maria Rempel
Heinrich
Johann
Franz
Peter
Isbrand
Maria
Immigrated to the USA, aboard the S S Holsatia, via Hamburg and Le Havre, landing in
New York 1 July 1874
Settled in Kansas
169
Ships which played a role in the 1870s migration to North America
S S Homonia, on which the
delegates to North America,
including Elder Leonhard
Sudermann, returned to Europe,
arriving in Hamburg on
5 Septmber 1873.They
survived a fierce storm
at sea
S S Holsatia arrived in New York
1 July 1874 carrying at least four
families from Berdyansk, the
Jakob Enns, Abraham Entz,
Johann Rempel and Johann
Peter Rempel families, a total
of 32 individuals
S S Vaderland arrived in
Philadelphia 29 June 1877
carrying at least two families
from Berdyansk, the
Bernhard Buhler and David
Hiebert (Huebert) families,
a total of 15 individuals
170
MENNONITE BUSINESSES
By 1852 there was a considerable number of small Mennonite business establishments in
Berdyansk
Despite the obvious wealth of many of the Berdyansk Mennonites, very few, if any, contributed
their fair share for the maintenance of the Forsteidienst. None are mentioned in the 1908
taxation list. It is hoped that there was some other system of taxation to correct this
obvious omission.
Berdyansk Development Company (actual specific name not known)
In 1882 a company ( Gesellshaft ) was formed in Berdyansk for the purpose of buying land,
presumably because of an expanding Mennonite population. With land purchased by
this means a couple (name not known) bought 150 dessiatines in Ogus-Tobe in the
eastern Crimea. They had a windmill in Berdyansk which was not doing well, so they
dismantled it, and with 7 pair of oxen took all their belongings and the mill to settle
in Ogus-Tobe in May of 1883 (on the List of People called Mr and Mrs Y)
Others also moved from Berdyansk to Ogus-Tobe and possibly other villages, among them at
least 4 relatives of the first mentioned family, and a Jakob Dick family
Berg, Jakob
Owned windmill by 1852
Cabinet maker
Buhler, Jakob
Owned flour mill by 1852
Classen, Bernhard
Brick manufacturer by 1852
Claassen, Cornelius
Owned flour mill by 1852
Der Botschafter
Mennonite paper published twice a week, begun in 1905
Editors David H Epp and H A Ediger
At first printed in Ekaterinoslav, then likely in Berdyansk after mid 1907
In 1911 cost 5 rubles per year, 3 rubles for half a year, and 50 kopecs for a month
Ceased publication in late 1914 by government order
Doerksen, Jakob
Business selling kitchen and clothes washing equipment
Advertised the Krauss System of washing machine in 1905
Dueck, Isaak
Prosperous grain merchant, likely 1860-1900
Ediger, Abram Salomon
Teacher at Rosenhof Estate 1861-1867
Then moved to Berdyansk to start a business
171
Ediger Publishing House, Print Shop and Bookstore
Owned by Heinrich A Ediger
In 1911, for example, Mennonitisches Jahrbuch 1910, published by Heinrich Dirks, sold
for 70 kopecs, including handling and shipping
Ediger was also a bank director, a city councillor, and mayor of the city for a number of years
Enns, Isaak
Owned oil press by 1852
Fast, David
Owned flour mill by 1852
Friesen, Isbrand Isbrand
Owner of the first treadmill built in Berdyansk in 1840
Sold his treadmill during the Crimean War
Friesen, J
Wealthy owner of a large mill, probably in the 1870s and 1880s
Grain Brokers in Berdyansk (Listed by P M Friesen in 1910, p 696)
Jakob Sudermann
Gerhard and Isaak Dueck (Friesen spells their names Dyck)
Dietrich Guenther
Nikolai Wiens
Guenther & Co
Presumably owned by a Mr Guenther
A business selling rope made of sisal and manila
Advertised in Christlicher Familienkalendar in 1912
Hiebert, David
Owned a treadmill 1860
Built a steam-powered flour mill in 1869
Janzen, Cornelius
The most prominent of several grain merchants
Migrated to Canada in 1873 (was actually expelled from Russia), then to the USA
John Greaves & Co Factory
Owned by an English engineer, John E Greaves of Sheffield, England
Established in 1883 on land located along the north west edge of the German Quarter
Greaves purchased the Janzen house, which was east of the factory, as his residence
Produced agricultural machinery, using the name “Swallow”
Produced ploughs, seeders and reapers
In 1897 produced 4,464 reapers, the largest producer of reapers in all of Europe
At the time the factory covered 2 city blocks
While Greaves was not a Mennonite, he did have Mennonite employees
Peter Sudermann was one of the factory managers; he married Emilie, daughter of John
Greaves
Jakob Sudermann, brother of Peter, was a travelling salesman for the “Swallow” brand of
implements produced by the factory; he married Amy Greaves, the niece of John Greaves
The factory was confiscated by the Communists and became known as Pervomaiskiy Zavod
172
(First of May Factory)
The factory buildings still exist today, although they are no longer in operation
Matthias Agricultural Machinery Factory
Established 1884 by the Matthias family
Manufactured ploughs, harrows, reapers, drills, threshing machines and wine presses
By 1912 called “Widow Matthias & Sons, the father having died
Employees: 1897-155, 1904-200, 1909-340, 1914-300
Yearly production: 1897-175,425 rubles, 1912-700,000 rubles
Not certain whether the owners were Mennonites or ethnic Germans
Penner, Jakob
In some type of business in 1852
Rempel, Johann
Owned windmill by 1852
Rempel, Peter Peter
Owned windmill by 1852
Riesen (non Riesen), Rudolf
Cabinet maker, likely 1850s
Sudermann, Abraham Isaak
Built and operated a treadmill by 1845
Wine merchant about 1860
Sudermann, Abraham Jakob
Manufactured and sold white wine, probably in the 1870s and 1880s
Sudermann, Hermann (not sure which Hermann Sudermann)
Grain merchant
Sudermann, Isaak Jakob
Grain merchant
Business failed about 1894
Sudermann, Jakob Isaak
Owned windmill by 1852
Miller, grain broker, wine merchant, estate owner
Tokmak Railway
An organizational meeting of the shareholders of the Tokmak Railway was held in Berdyansk
21 June 1911. Elected onto the executive were W W Fomin, Jakob P Wall, Johann P
Wall, and P A Ediger, all of Berdyansk. W W Fomin was elected president, Jakob P
Wall vice-president. That same day the first meeting of the executive was held.
Mennonite investors in the railway included H Ediger, P Ediger, H Janzen, Jakob P Wall
and Johann P Wall, all of Berdyansk. Total investment capital was 1,750,000 rubles. It
was felt that if the summer holiday season did not interfere with obtaining the necessary
documentation from St Petersburg, work on the railway could begin in the autumn of
1911.
A general meeting of members of the Tokmak Railway Company Society was held on
7 February 1912. Good progress was being made in construction. A telephone line
along the entire track, also to Berdyansk, was to be completed by April 1. Putting down
173
railway ties and track was to begin on July 1. Plans were being made to lengthen the
line
Wedel, Benjamin
Watchmaker by 1852
Wiebe, Jakob
Operated a treadmill by 1852
Wiens, Julius
Merchant by 1852
Wiens, Nikolai Johann
Grain broker and merchant, starting about 1845
Owned at least 8 properties in Berdyansk
Wiens and Janzen Rope Factory
First owned by Mr D Wiens and Mr H Janzen
Later purchased by Peter Riediger
174
Plough manufactured by “Widow Matthias & Sons”
Builders of the Tokmak Railway: middle row 1-r, first P Ediger of Berdyansk
sixth A P Ediger, bank director in Berdyansk, seventh, former estate owner
Johann Wall, who then moved to Berdyansk
Seeder/drill manufactured by “Widow Matthias & Sons”
175
7}erdians^ y Jaurien
Products sold by Jakob Doerksen
176
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Familienkalender in 1911
177
9flafd)incnfafirtf uub Stafjlgiefterei
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John Greaves & Co factory
John Greaves & Co
products
Price lists available
gratis
Grass mower ( Grass-Maehmaschine )
178
Mennonite rope and cloth industry in Berdyansk
179
BERDYANSK REGION ESTATES
There were a number of estates near Berdyansk, of course to the north of the city. A
number of people who lived in Berdyansk actually also owned estates. Certainly estate families,
even beyond the immediate region, married into Berdyansk families. There was considerable
intermarriage with the Taschtschenak estate region, which was near Melitopol. Isbrand Isbrand
Friesen of the city of Berdyansk, was for a time chairman of the Berdyansk Estate Owners
Association.
Bergmann(Jakob P)
Address: Nikolaidorf
Owned by Jakob Peter Bergmann
225 dess
Dick (David J) Apanlee
Owned by David Jakob Dick and Katharina Schmidt
In 1908 listed at 8,050 dess
Dirks (Johann J)
Address: Waldheim, Molotschna
Owned by Johann Johann Dirks
200 dess
Driedger (Kornelius I)
Address: Gnadenthal, Molotschna
Owned by Kornelius Isaak Driedger
72 dess
Janzen (Cornelius)
Janzen leased a large tract of land 45 verst from Berdyansk about 1866
Estate was established, a house being built
Used it to raise cattle
Managed by a faithful Russian overseer, Luke Petrovitch
Had some difficulty selling it when they immigrated in 1873
Matthies (Abraham A)
Address: Halbstadt, Molotschna, situated near Ackerman
Owned by Abraham Abraham Matthies, then by 1908 by his heirs
In 1911 one of the heirs was likely J F Matthies
Schoenau
Owned by W W Wiens
Sudermann (Abraham J)
Owned by Abraham Jakob Sudermann
Stcinbach
According to 1908 Forstei List consisted of at least 6 estates
Regehr, Johann David.60 dess
Schmidt, Nikolai Heinrich.60 dess
180
Schmidt, Nikolai Peter.1,121 dess
Schmidt, Peter and Nikolai.11,887 dess
Some of this land was likely also in other places, not just Steinbach region
Schmidt, Peter Peter.350 dess
Wiens, Sarah David (widow).61 dess
Total area.13,539 dess
Sudermann (Jakob J) Apanlee
Owned by Jakob Jakob Sudermann
In 1908 6,002 dess
Sudermann (Leonard)
Owned by Leonhard Jakob Sudermann
689 dess
Wiens (Jakob J)
Address: Mariawohl, Molotschna
Owned by Jakob Jakob Wiens
181
CORNELIUS JANZEN
(he changed the spelling of his name to Jansen about 1874)
(1822-1894)
Cornelius Janzen was bom 2 July 1822 in Tiegenhof, West Prussia. His parents were Daniel
Janzen and Anna Buhler. They were both baptized members of the Tiegenhagen Mennonite Church.
The Janzens had at least one other child, Johanna, bom 10 November 1823. She, in time, married
Peter Penner of Petershagen, West Prussia.
Father Daniel was a textile maker and merchant in Tiegenhof. The young Cornelius worked
in the store of his father, often having to fill and light the
long tobacco pipes of the customers. Cornelius probably
attended the village school in Tiegenhagen; this was likely
his only formal education.
When Cornelius was ten his mother died. It is not
known when his father died. From the time of his mother’s
death Cornelius lived with his uncle, Gerhard Penner.
Gerhard was a businessman, and later elder of the Heubuden
congregation. He helped train the young Cornelius in
various aspects of work as a merchant. There were rumours
that as a young man Cornelius may have been a bit of a
dandy. He “was fond of dancing and a great favourite of the
ladies.”
Cornelius was baptized, likely at the usual age of 21
or 22, by Elder Peter Regier of the Tiegenhagen
congregation. He, together with some friends, visited South
Russia, travelling on horseback. During this trip he visited
Berdyansk, where he may have had acquaintances from
Prussia, such as the Sudermanns. He observed that the city
had advantages as a seaport, especially for the export of grain.
Cornelius married Helena von Riesen on 4 May 1848 in Schidlitz, a suburb of Danzig. She
was bom on 1 December 1822, in that same village. Her father, Peter von Riesen, was a miller, but
also dealt with other commodities. Peter’s parents and all his younger siblings had migrated to South
Russia in 1804, most of them later joining the Kleine Gemeinde. Helena’s mother, the second of
three wives of Peter, was Margaretha Harder of Marienburg. She was related to Leonhard
Sudermann, who later was elder of the Mennonite Church in Berdyansk.
The newly married couple probably lived in Schidlitz for a time, with Helena’s younger
brothers and a sister. Children bom into the Janzen family were:
1. Margaretha - bom 12 February 1849 in Schidlitz, West Prussia, lived in Berdyansk when
her parents moved there, immigrated to Canada with her parents in 1873, then to the
USA in 1874, kept a very careful diary, died 19 January 1875 at Mount Pleasant,
Iowa, of “inflammatory rheumatism” with paralysis (possibly poliomyelitis?)
2. Peter - bom 21 March 1852 in Berdyansk, immigrated to Canada with parents in 1873,
Cornelius Janzen (1822-1894)
182
then to USA in 1874, played an increasing role helping new arrivals, he and brother
Johann initially settled on the family ranch near Beatrice, Nebraska, Peter married
Gertrude Penner 4 May 1877,7 children, developed the ranch into a large scale sheep
farm, became representative for railroads, founded town of Jansen and organized the
Jansen bank, involved in Republican Party, delegate to conventions, elected to
Nebraska State legislature, appointed by President McKinley to represent the USA
at the World’s Fair in Paris in 1900, 1909 sold ranch and moved to Beatrice, elected
to Nebraska State Senate in 1910, died 6 June 1923
3. Anna - bom 23 March 1856 in West Pmssia, likely Wickerau, migrated to Berdyansk with
parents, immigrated to Canada with parents in 1873 then to USA in 1874, married
Aron Claassen, a recent immigrant from Pmssia on 9 January 1879, 9 children, the
first 2 dying in infancy, lived on farm 5 miles west of Beatrice, died 17 October 1924
4. Johann - bom 16 October 1857 in Berdyansk, immigrated with parents to Canada in
1873 then to USA in 1874, helped brother Peter build up the ranch near Beatrice,
married Albertine Penner 24 August 1882, for a time lived on and managed the
ranch, 7 children, fire in stable killed 11 horses in March 1883, early in the century
moved to Quill Lake, Saskatchewan, farm and ranch, died 10 February 1932
5. Helena - bom 14 November 1858 in Berdyansk, immigrated with parents to Canada in
1873 then to USA in 1874, never married, helped in household until after death of
parents, had teaching certificate but never taught, active in Sunday School and
city mission work, hobby painting china, 1917 moved to Pasadena, died
9 November 1937
6. Heinrich (Cornelius Jr) - bom 30 April 1863 in Berdyansk, immigrated with parents to
Canada 1873 then to USA 1874, changed name to Cornelius Jr about this time,
completed high school and various other courses, teaching school by 1882, attended
Haverford College, taught German and Greek in Beatrice High School 1883-84,
interest in politics and culture, married Christine Fossler of Lincoln, Nebraska,
both taught school in Los Angeles, died 22 August 1954
Wife Helena’s sister, Anna von Riesen, lived with the Janzens during her life time, staying
with them wherever they lived for nearly 50 years. Expenses involved were equitably divided
throughout the entire period.
Cornelius and Helena were later described by their son Peter. Cornelius was of medium
height, slim and erect, with expressive mobile features and a rather prominent nose and a high
forehead. He had blue eyes. He had a delightful sense of humour, enjoyed debate, having powerful
logic and intricate reasoning, and was a good chess player. He was a great reader, loved music, sang
well and played the flute. He was fond of children, as well as horses and dogs. He gave up smoking
when middle-aged, and then encouraged others to follow his example. He was personally very neat,
his clothes always being well brushed. In Russia he wore a silk hat on Sundays and at other special
occasions.
Helena was tall, in her younger years tending to stoutness. She was said to have been a
handsome woman. She had a good common sense, perhaps having a better business sense than her
husband. She was forceful, and generally had her own way, and was inclined to be suspicious. She
was a great student of the Bible, but often had her own unorthodox interpretations. She made her
183
children read the scriptures if they wanted to or not. Punishment for misdeeds often took the form
of reading portions of the Bible out loud, the gravity of the sin determining the length of the passage.
Psalm 119 was Peter’s sentence for lying on one occasion.
The Janzen family was obviously wealthy enough to have a number of servants. On one
occasion they brought a German man-servant with them from Prussia, who, as it turns out, was not
satisfactory. Margaretha and Peter had a governess named Sophia, who had special training in
Kaisereswerth, Germany. They found that Russian servants were often unreliable.
In June of 1850 the Janzen family moved from West Prussia to Berdyansk. It is not certain
why they moved; it could have been for economic reasons, or possibly because of the strong family
ties - even though some of them had moved to Russia more than 40 years previously. They went by
carriage, accompanied by Helena's sister
Anna and the youngest brother Johannes.
Heinrich, an elder brother, had preceded
them in the move and Abraham seems to have
remained in Schidlitz.
By the end of July the Janzens reached
Berdyansk, likely having stopped in the
Molotschna on the way. They bought a
Wirtschafi in Berdyansk, presumably a house
in the city, paying in five equal parts:
Cornelius, Helena, sister Anna, and brothers
Johannes and Abraham (who was still in
Prussia, but planned to move). While the house was being built they lived with Helena’s eldest
brother Heinrich until 22 July 1851; they then moved into their own house. During this time
Cornelius was likely involved in agriculture and grain sales. Cornelius seems to have owned a grain
warehouse which he rented to Jakob Buhler in September 1852.
For some reason the Janzens left Berdyansk in the autumn of 1852, perhaps to deal with
financial matters in Danzig. Mortgages and bonds were owed, and the legacy of father-in-law Peter
von Riesen was not yet settled. They arrived back in Danzig 18 November 1852 and looked up all
their old friends. They lived in Schidlitz together with Helena’s brother Abraham, hi their accounts
there is no evidence of specific business activity, but they did travel to various places in the region.
Cornelius raised some money from his Prussian friends to help build a church in Berdyansk.
Somewhat surprisingly Cornelius bought a farm in Wickerau, near Elbing, West Prussia, in
the autumn of 1855. Then, again for reasons that are not entirely clear, Cornelius sold the newly
acquired farm to Johannes, younger brother of Helena, and headed back to Berdyansk in the summer
of 1856. It may have been that they awaited the conclusion of the Crimean War. Arriving in the
city Cornelius “set about repairing the damage done to the buildings by the ravages of war and
neglect and re-establish the grain business.” Berdyansk had been bombarded by British ships during
the Crimean War, at least one cannon ball hitting a Janzen warehouse. During the next number of
years the accounts show a considerable amount of money being spent on repairs and new
construction. The December 1859 expense of 2,000 silver rubles was mainly for a new house.
Janzen formed partnerships in his grain business. Abraham Matthies, who had a large store
in the village of Rudnerweide, and Jakob Enns of Halbstadt bought grain from farmers in the
The Cornelius Janzen home
184
Molotschna and shipped it to Berdyansk, where it was stored in the Janzen granaries until it could
be sold at a good price. The grain was brought to Berdyansk in wagons pulled by slowly moving
oxen. Wheat was the commonest grain sold, much of it being exported to England, although Janzen
also dealt with oats, barley, linseed
andrapeseed. A number of labourers
were required to carry the sacks of
grain from the wagons to the
granaries, then from the granaries to
the ships. Profits were shared by the
three partners, although a 2%
commission went largely to the
broker (Janzen).
The place where the Janzens
erected their home and business was
on a large lot, consisting of several
dessiatines, sloping up a gradual
elevation. The sloping portion was
planted with grapes; a summer house
was built where the family had coffee
on festive occasions. There was a
beautiful view of the harbour from the
crest of the hill.
About 1866 Cornelius seemed
to be farming as an added sideline.
He leased a large tract of land about
45 verst from Berdyansk, where an
estate was established, using it to
raise cattle. A house was built on the
property. It was managed by a
faithful Russian overseer, Luke
Petrovitch.
Cornelius never became a
Russian citizen, retaining his Prussian
status. He did prefer Russia to Prussia because he could live there “without many restrictions in the
economic and social areas.” He basically disliked and distrusted governments that might in any way
impinge on what he considered to be his freedom. While not being dedicated enough to one country
to be a citizen, he was, however, interested in international politics. He served as consul for Prussia
for a number of years, and also for Mecklenburg Schwerin. It is not certain exactly when he held
these posts, since there is conflicting evidence as to specific dates.
The Janzens had frequent contact with the British, especially through the consuls in
Berdyansk. Helena Janzen was initially not willing to move into their new house when they returned
from Danzig because she felt it was incompatible with a simple lifestyle. The house was therefore
rented to the British Consul Cumberbatch. The Janzens thereby made connections with the British
The Cornelius Janzen family at their home in Berdyansk
about 1870. back row 1 to r Peter, Anna von Riesen,
Heinrich, Mother Helena, Cornelius, Margaretha,
front row Anna, Johann, Helena
185
community which would later prove to be helpful; this also started them on the path of learning
English. William Melville, a Scottish Presbyterian, visited Berdyansk on business. He was also
involved with the British and Foreign Bible Society. Through him Janzen became interested in the
distribution of scriptures and other Christian literature. This included Bibles and other literature in
German, Russian, Bulgarian, French and even Hebrew. From 1864 until he left Russia in the spring
of 1873 Cornelius tabulated that he had distributed Christian literature worth 1,880 silver rubles.
Religious convictions came to Cornelius gradually. Eduard Wuest influenced him to some
degree, although he did not accept the theatrical extremes, while he still retained the strength of
Mennonite theology. In time he rejected the use of tobacco, and possibly because of the deaths of
close relatives due to drink, banished alcohol from his table. Cornelius became, supported by his
wife, an ardent proponent of the cause of temperance.
The Janzen home had an extensive library, which included staunch Mennonite/Anabaptist
books such as Fundament-Bitch by Menno Simons, but also John Milton’s Das Verlorene Parodies
(.Paradise Lost). In the early 1870s they received both German and English Christian magazines.
Pure high German was spoken in the home, the children likely attending the Mennonite elementary
school, where David Goerz taught from 1869-1873; they were also trained by governesses. There
were several servants in the home, but even so the children worked; the girls, for instance, learned
how to milk cows. Besides the six Janzen children, two children of Helena’s brother Abraham (their
parents died quite early) were largely educated in the Janzen home. Heinrich and Anna von Riesen
were about the same age as the oldest Janzen children.
In October of 1867 two English Quakers appeared in Berdyansk and came into contact with
Cornelius, Thomas Harvey of Leeds and Isaac Robson of Huddersfield. He hosted them in his own
home, then accompanied them on a trip through various Mennonite colonies as well as Molokan
villages. He tried to have a letter which they wrote back to him printed in Odessa, but the Russian
censors refused to allow this. The censors did not appreciate the admonition to actively evangelize
their Russian neighbours. This may have represented a turning point in the life of Cornelius. He no
longer considered Russia to be a suitable long-term home.
The question of the Mennonite non-resistant status was brewing in Russia with the planned
reorganization of the military after the disaster of the Crimean War - universal draft was definitely
a strong possibility. In Prussia the Mennonites were given the option of accepting non-combatant
military service or of leaving the country. A number had already emigrated to Russia. Two
delegates, Elder Wilhelm Ewert ofOber-Nessau and Peter Dyck of Rosenort, toured Russia in 1870,
also stopping in Berdyansk. They conferred with Leonhard Sudermann and Cornelius Janzen, and
were strongly advised to consider America instead. Cornelius had obtained much information about
the United States and became persuaded that “America was the country where the Mennonites could
live in full freedom.”
Once it was confirmed that the rumours of universal military service in Russia was indeed
planned by the government, a number of conferences were held, on 18 December 1870 and 8 January
1871. Delegations were sent to St Petersburg to obtain additional information. In February of 1871,
for example, representatives from various colonies travelled to the capital, Leonhard Sudermann
heading the Molotschna contingent. They saw many high officials, although not the Czar, and left
feeling that they had accomplished something. One delegation even tried to see the Czar at his
holiday resort in the Crimea, but again had to be satisfied with various officials in his stead.
186
From that time on Cornelius seems to have been very active in the promotion of immigration
to America. He gathered information on the conditions in America, sought to influence his brethren
in Russia and West Prussia and contacted government officials, especially those of Canada and the
United States. This began as a one-man campaign, first of all regarding his own family, but in time
expanded to include a massive voluntary migration of thousands of Mennonites. Gathering
information included dealing with the appropriate government authorities, but also contacting
Mennonites who already lived in America, such as John F Funk of Elkhart, Indiana.
During this time Janzen tried to publicize the results of his enquiries. Starting with hand
duplicated notes he eventually chose to print pamphlets. For much of this work he used the services
of his nephew Heinrich von Riesen in Danzig; strict censorship in Russia would have made it
impossible to have them printed in that country. Some of the pamphlets published were:
Sammlung von Notizen Ueber America
Gedanken englischer und deutscher Friedensfreunde
Gedanken ueber die Pflichten der Christen
Gedanken ueber den indirekten Militaerdienst
Ausschluss der American Paper als gegen Krieg zeugend
Gedanken ueber Religionsfreiheit
A dr ess en an die Christenheit
These were all published at the authour’s expense, the first six in 1872, the last one in 1873. The
third and fourth pamphlets were also translated into English.
Wilhelm Hespeler, representative of the Canadian government, visited Berdyansk, speaking
particularly with Janzen, in late July 1872. As a whole, however, Canada needed to work through
the British consular service, since it had no officials of its own in the region. As a result of
Hespeler’s visit a meeting was held regarding emigration in Berdyansk on 1 August 1872, starting
in the home of Elder Leonhard Sudermann in the afternoon, then continuing on into the night at the
Janzen residence; further discussions were held on 22-25 September, also involving Bernhard
Buhler.
There was, as could be expected, opposition to the views expressed by Janzen. Some felt that
accommodation with the Russian government could be accomplished. Janzen maintained that the
Mennonites had no option but to leave. He insisted that “the only testimony we can give is to
migrate like our fathers, and that I will do, my Lord and Saviour helping me...” Cornelius spent the
first months of 1873 preparing for emigration. He had been selling his house, garden and stables as
early as August of 1872, but his estate lands proved somewhat more difficult to dispose of.
On 27 March 1873 a uniformed officer accompanied by a soldier presented Cornelius with
an expulsion order. Janzen and Wilhelm Loewens, Prussian subjects, “who were spreading rumours
and false ideas about the condition of the Mennonites and the immigration to America” were to leave
the country and were prohibited from ever returning to Russia. Janzen was photographed, having
to pay for the 12 copies of his likeness, which then were sent by Imperial command to various border
inspection posts. After negotiations the time of departure was changed from the initial one week to
two months to allow him time to settle his affairs. It is thought that the pamphlets that Cornelius
wrote and distributed may have been the trigger to the expulsion order. A number of them had only
his initials, but at least one included his full name.
An auction sale was held May 15-18. Money was transferred to Germany via a bank in
187
Odessa. Early Saturday morning, 26 May 1873, the Janzens departed from their spacious Berdyansk
home. At 5 AM a parting prayer was offered, the twenty-fifth Psalm was read and the family left
for the harbour. They set sail on the ship 5” S Mydridat.
Leaving Berdyansk were Cornelius, wife Helena, children Margaretha, Peter, Anna, Johann,
Helena, Heinrich and Anna von Riesen. They travelled via Kerch to Sevastopol, then to Odessa.
They disembarked in Odessa, stayed the night at the Hotel London, then on May 30 boarded a train
which took them through Austria-Hungary, Poland, into Germany and finally to Danzig. Friends and
relatives gave them a rousing welcome. They stayed with Johann von Riesen, who had returned
from Berdyansk and purchased a farm near Danzig. July 15 they again boarded a train heading for
Berlin, finally after some sightseeing in Berlin, reaching Hamburg on July 19. At 10 PM on July 22,
aboard the S SHuddersfield they set sail for England. There they briefly visited their Quaker friends,
then on July 31 boarded the S S Circassian of the Allen Line and began the long voyage across the
North Atlantic to Canada. They even enjoyed seeing icebergs for a few days, although Anna von
Riesen seems to have been troubled by sea-sickness for a considerable portion of the trip.
The family disembarked at Quebec 10 August 1873; they had with them 47 pieces of
baggage, one of which was the dowry chest of daughter Anna. They then travelled by train via
Toronto to Berlin (now Kitchener), Ontario. There they stayed in the spacious Hinterhaus of Jacob
Y Schantz. Cornelius and son Peter almost immediately travelled to New York to meet the delegates
who had been sent by the Russian Mennonites to explore the North American option. They were
disappointed to see only a number of the representatives, but did briefly confer with Leonhard
Sudermann (friend of Cornelius from Berdyansk), Wilhelm Ewert and Jakob Buller. Cornelius and
Peter then went on to Elkhart, Indiana, to Newton, Kansas and to Chicago. They spoke to bankers,
railroad agents as well as Mennonite leaders, and inspected tracts of land. It seems that some of the
12 delegates, and also the Janzens, had determined that they would settle in the United States despite
the absence of assurance of exemption from military service or the possibility of settling in compact
blocks of land. Having returned to Berlin for less than a month Cornelius and Peter again set out for
the United States meeting with various Mennonites as well as politicians, including President
Ulysses S Grant. Petitions were sent to various government committees as well as Congress
regarding Mennonite concerns. It appears that the Canadian government was willing to make
exceptions; the United States was not.
It does not appear to be mentioned specifically, but sometime in the migration to North
America, Cornelius changed the spelling of the family name from Janzen to Jansen. Perhaps it was
in the family genes to change spellings. His father had already changed the spelling from Jantzen
to Janzen. Also during the time of the migration the name of the youngest son was changed from
Heinrich to Cornelius Jr.
Cornelius expended much time and effort to help people with their migration, both in Russia
and after they had landed in North America. He took many a tnp to greet people as they arrived in
the New World as exemplified by New York. He was also very active in soliciting aid for
Mennonite families who were in need of financial assistance to migrate and to establish homes in
either the United States or Canada. He even contacted the Quaker friends in England, who sent
funds labelled specifically to help those who had already reached America.
Despite roadblocks put in the way by the Russian government, at least 5,000 Mennonites
migrated from Russia to Manitoba, Kansas, Dakota, Nebraska and other western states in 1874.
188
Expected emigration for 1875 was roughly the same - about 1,000 families, approximately 5,000
people. Eventually the total number would reach 18,000 people, 10,000 to the USA, 8,000 to
Canada. A Mennonite Board of Guardians was elected 7 November 1873; while Cornelius was not
on the Board, he did whatever he could to assist them.
The Janzen family in the meantime continued to live in the four-room Hinterhaus of the
Schantz yard. Cooking facilities were primitive; on October 6, after almost two months, they ate
their first own prepared meal, Rindsuppe. October 13 they slept on real bedsteads; until then they
had used mattresses on the floor. Cornelius had purchased two bedsteads for $ 1.60.
The Janzen family certainly had adjustments to make in their new environment. No servants
- even the president of the United States had done manual labour in his youth. Officials did not wear
uniforms with gold braid and did not have guards. People greeting each other left their hats on, and
even kept them on when they went into the church building. Entertainment in Berlin was scarce,
activities consisting mainly of attending church, Sunday School or revival meetings. The Janzen
family attended all the different churches in Berlin, most preferring the Methodist.
In time, probably for various reasons, among which were inadequate housing, lack of good
schools for the children, absence of intimate friends and what he considered to be severe winters,
Cornelius was looking to move south. He cited “reasons of health, for a more southern climate.”
He was to find out, however, that his lumbago did not depend on the weather. Cornelius and Peter,
in their travels, found a suitable place at Mount Pleasant, Iowa. Peter, Anna, Anna von Riesen and
Barry, a large Newfoundland family dog, left Berlin for their new home 1 June 1874, followed by
the rest of the family on June 10 or 11. Cornelius, in the meantime, nursed his backache, which
made it difficult for him to walk. By July 13 he recovered sufficiently so that he and Peter could
continue the work of greeting new Russian Mennonites arriving in New York. Son Peter was
playing an increasing role, for example accompanying a recently arrived group to inspect available
lands in Kansas and Nebraska. Among the immigrants were Heinrich and Anna von Riesen, who
landed in New York on 7 August 1874. At last the Janzens had some close relatives and friends on
their side of the ocean.
Daughter Margaretha died of “inflammatory rheumatism” associated with some paralysis
(possibly poliomyelitis?) on 19 January 1875. She was a hard worker, and had faithfully kept a diary
over the years. Her father probably felt the loss most keenly.
Cornelius continued to be actively involved in the immigration through 1875 and 1876, and
still carried on an extensive correspondence with Prussian and Russian Mennonites. He rationalized
that immigration was a witness for peace; even Christians without children could witness for peace
by immigration, using the underlying principle of protesting military service. In his extensive travels
Cornelius had inspected the available land in various states and provinces and came to feel that
Nebraska was by far the preferred haven, certainly preferred over hot, dry Kansas and cold Manitoba.
The Janzen children attributed their father’s severe headaches and generally deteriorating
health to his continued occupation with a heavy correspondence. But the Janzens were still looking
for a permanent home; they finally decided on Beatrice, Nebraska, where they could establish a
ranch. In the spring of 1875 Cornelius with sons Peter and Johann went to the newly purchased land
in Jefferson County. They selected a building site, planned sheep sheds, corrals and other
establishments. During the first few years Peter and Johann worked on the ranch for their father, but
sharing in the profits. In January of 1876 they sheared their first crop of wool from 1,500 sheep and
189
Entertaining family and friends in their Beatrice home
500 lambs. At 25^ a pound the Janzens realized a considerable profit. Their enterprise was also
diversified, growing winter wheat, com and oats, as well as raising registered cattle.
The family left their Mount Pleasant home 16 November 1876, and spent several months,
including Christmas, with Peter and
Johann on the ranch. They then moved
to Beatrice, a town 18 miles from the
ranch, in the spring of 1877. They
continually improved on their town
house, building a porch and some other
additions and improving the bathhouse.
They also enlarged the property by
buying adjoining lots. Cornelius
frequently visited the ranch, finding it to
be a place for real relaxation from his
immigration work.
Peter and Johann were by now
entrusted with the management of the
ranch. When Peter married Gertrude
Penner 24 February 1877, the young
couple moved onto the ranch. Johann married Albertine Penner 24 August 1882, so the two couples
lived together on the ranch for a time, then Peter and Gertrude moved to their own farm, leaving
Johann as the ranch manager.
In Beatrice the Janzen family tended to go to the Mennonite service Sunday mornings, but
in the evenings they often went to other churches. It was planned to build a new Mennonite church
in Beatrice, actually four miles west of town. The congregation decided to “tax” the members
according to the amount of land they owned. Cornelius disagreed, claiming that it was unbiblical
to follow any idea but his
own. Funding should be
completely by voluntary
donation. The country church
was nontheless built in 1879,
but unfortunately burned
down December 21 of that
year. It was decided to
rebuild despite what could
have been thought of as a bad
omen. In the meantime
church services were held on
alternate Sundays in the
spacious homes of Cornelius
Janzen and J G Wiebe.
The Janzens seemed to
be, above all else, absorbed in
Cornelius and Helena Janzen with Anna von Riesen at their
home in Beatrice, Nebraska
190
living and promoting the Christian way of life as they interpreted it. Cornelius still helped and
advised newcomers from Prussia and Russia. Elder Jacob A Wiebe later wrote, “We were in need
of oxen and plows to break the prairie sod, then our good friend Cornelius Janzen, known to all as
Consul Janzen, loaned us one thousand dollars.” His advice was not universally appreciated,
however, one Prussian immigrant asking “ Sind Sie denn allwissend?” (Do you think you know
everything?). The Janzens were also active in the temperance movement and in distributing
Christian literature.
In time the main migration from Russia and Prussia to North America was completed. The
Mennonite Board of Guardians was taking care of what immigration projects were left. Cornelius
spent much of his time reading, attending church services, going to lectures and temperance
meetings, visiting the sick, helping the needy and writing letters to his many friends. His health
gradually deteriorated; he still had his lumbago, pains in his hips and frequent headaches. He died
at 1:30 AM on 14 December 1894 at the age of 72 years.
The funeral of Cornelius Janzen was held two days later, on December 16. A preliminary
service was held in the family home, where Elder Gerhard Penner spoke in German, Elder Heinrich
Yother in English. The funeral procession of nearly one hundred vehicles then wended its way to
the Beatrice country church. Many friends and neighbours wanted to pay their last measure of
respect to the man who had meant so much to them. J H Zimmermann gave the funeral oration in
the church service, the pallbearers carried the casket to the cemetery where the body of Cornelius
Janzen was lowered to its final resting place. An evening service was held in the family home, Elder
Leonhard Sudermann and Isaac Peters presiding.
Wife Helena Janzen lived three more years. She died 2 December 1897 and was buried by
the side of her husband. Anna von Riesen died half a year later, on 28 June 1898.
Surprisingly, the only published obituary of Cornelius was a brief 18-line review of his life
in the Mennonitische Rundschau , an article copied from the Beatrice Post. In the Post it was
followed by a 17- line report on crops from Jansen, Nebraska.
It is difficult to evaluate the motives which were the main-spring of the self-appointed work
of Cornelius Janzen. He attributed it to strong religious principles, but it does seem that an
irrepressible sense of adventure, a sense of wanting to explore and take advantage of every economic
opportunity and a sense of wanting to function totally without hindrance by either church or
government were equally important to him. There is no doubt, however, that without his determined
and tireless efforts the migration of the 1870s may not have been as extensive or as successful as it
was.
Sources:
Hiebert, Clarence, Brothers in Deed to Brothers in Need, Faith and Life Press, Newton, Kansas,
1974, p 293
Jansen, Peter, Memoirs of Peter Jansen: The Record of a Busy Life, self-published,
Beatrice, Nebraska, 1921, many pages
This book lists Cornelius Janzen’s date of birth as 6 July 1823
191
Leibrandt, Georg, The Emigration of German Mennonites from Russia to the United States and
Canada in 1873-1880, Mennonite Quarterly Review, Part I, October 1932, pp 209-210;
Part II, January 1933, p 24
Mennonite Encyclopedia, Vol III, pp 91-92
Mennonitische Rundschau
Obituary: 26 December 1894, p 1
Report: Elder Jacob A Wiebe, 26 June 1912, p 4
Mennonitisches Lexikon, Band II, p 391
Reimer, Gustav E and Gaeddert, G R, Exiled by the Czar: Cornelius Jansen and the Great
Mennonite Migration , 1874, Mennonite Publication Office, Newton, Kansas, 1956,
many pages
Smith, C Henry, The Coming of the Russian Mennonites, Mennonite Book Concern, Berne,
Indiana, 1927, many pages, including 51, 101, 121
192
ELDER LEONHARD ABRAHAM SUDERMANN
(1821 - 1900)
(Using his autobiography published post-humously in the Mennonitische Rundschau
as the principle framework but certainly not the only source of information. In some
ways the articles are almost as interesting for what they do not mention as for what
they do include. The German language used is complex and convoluted, and often
vague or indirect. One often wishes that he had used more specific names; now we
frequently have to guess whom he is referring to.)
Leonhard Abraham Sudermann was bom 21 April 1821 in Goldschaar Heubuden, just west
of Marienburg, West Prussia. He was the youngest of eleven children of Abraham Sudermann and
his second wife Anna von Riesen.
The Sudermanns owned a small property, two Hufen (33 hectares or 81.5 acres), on which
his father, when he died, had lived for fifty years. Leonhard’s birth fell at a time when his parents
were still labouring under the difficult circumstances brought on by the Napoleonic Wars - many
people in the area had suffered. Added to this, one year before his birth (1820) the family home and
business buildings had burned down. That made it difficult
for the parents but benefitted the children - they from
childhood on had learned to be frugal. These experiences
drove them to prayer and to trusting in God.
At the age of seven Leonhard went to a private school
which had been established by the parents of the region.
There he obtained a good elementary education in High
German. His teacher, Friedrich Lange, was recognized
universally for his ability and dedication. The religion classes
were particularly beneficial, pupils being clearly shown the
path to the Lord. At that time Leonard was not very attentive,
actually preferring the outdoors to the classroom, but even so
learned much from his excellent teacher.
After his years at school Leonhard lived with his older
sister Sara, who with her husband Dietrich Rempel, lived a
short distance away, having a similar property and a brick
factory. He lived there for five years, learning the various
skills of the brick-making trade. He also observed the good
example of the Rempels striving for a Christian life. During
this time he felt the desire to be baptized, with the
encouragement of his mother, brother Abraham and the Rempels. During the time he was receiving
baptismal instruction he became quite ill, and felt that he was not ready to die. He asked God to
prolong his time of grace. The Lord granted his request. On the second day of Pentecost of 1838
(June 4) he was baptized together with a number of other candidates; among them was a school
classmate of his, a young lady who would later become his wife.
193
On 9 December 1840 Leonhard’s father died. His mother decided to travel to Russia, where
eight of her children already lived. She asked Leonhard to accompany her. The plans were
completed by the autumn of 1841. Farewells were serious, Mother Sudermann not being certain that
she would ever see those remaining in Prussia again. This was Leonhard’s first major trip. He had
just previously strained his back with hard work, so he found it somewhat difficult to travel. There
was, however, an interesting and varied landscape along the way, and meeting of siblings in Russia
was something to look forward to. The first stop was the Molotschna. The sibling couple, Hermann
and Barbara Harder, lived in Gnadenfeld Farm No 49, and wished to visit Prussia. Leonhard looked
after their property while they were gone.
In the meantime Leonhard thought increasingly about the young lady he had previously met
in school and at baptismal classes. Maria Sudermann’s family had in the meantime moved to
Berdyansk where her father, Abraham Isaak Sudermann, worked as a miller and was leading minister
in the Mennonite fellowship. After the return of the Harders from Prussia, and perceiving that the
attraction was mutual, Leonhard asked Maria’s parents forpermission to marry their daughter. They
consented, his mother approved, and the Harders encouraged. They were married 23 October 1842
in Gnadenfeld. Former teacher, Friedrich Lange, now living in Gnadenfeld, presided, using Genesis
32:26 as text: “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” After the wedding they helped in the
Hermann Harder household. Both of the Harders soon thereafter contracted smallpox, and were
severely ill. Maria well knew how to nurse the sick couple, while Leonhard managed their store and
farm. When his older brother Hermann, who had married Maria’s older sister Elisabeth, lost his
wife during childbirth 31 December 1842, the newlyweds spent the last half of the winter helping
him.
In the spring of 1843 Leonhard and Maria moved to Berdyansk, for the first few years living
with her parents, Abraham and Elisabeth Sudermann. Leonhard was partner in the management of
a brick factory. In 1845 they started building their home, a brick house on a garden plot adjacent to
the city. These garden plots had been designated by the governor of the region, Count Voronzov,
for “Germans,” so that they would supply the city with fruit and vegetables. In the autumn of 1845,
when the house was nearing completion, only needing interior finishing, they were asked to take care
of the Harder household while the Harders again visited Prussia. The brick business was slow that
time of year, so Leonhard and Maria accepted the challenge. In the meantime the store had
expanded, but there were some servants and clerks to help. In the spring of 1846 the Harders
returned and the Sudermanns went back to Berdyansk. They readied their house for occupation and
settled in their home in June. In the autumn they began planting a fairly large garden. The first
winter was difficult, a severe snowstorm striking on December 26, and lasting for three weeks. They
felt fortunate to have a well under their own roof.
Leonhard’s mother had remained in Gnadenfeld, likely living with children. She died 13
March 1851 at the age of 73 years, of heart failure. Leonhard considered it to be a privilege that he
had been able to be at the funerals of both of his parents.
In the meantime father-in-law Abraham Sudermann, who had been elected as minister in
Heubuden, West Prussia in 1823, began having church services for Mennonites in Berdyansk. To
ease the workload a second minister was elected, and Leonhard was appointed “ Vorsaenger ” (song
leader). At first services were held in private homes, but when a private school was built, worship
could occur in the larger facility.
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The Crimean War broke out in 1853, with principal hostilities occurring on the Crimean
Peninsula, but in time port cities on the Sea of Azov were also threatened. On 27 May 1855,
Pentecost Sunday, the Sudermanns were forced to leave home, business and flourishing garden, and
flee. Besides leaving their home they were also deprived of their almost daily income from the
garden. It was nearly a year before they could return to their home. Considerable damage had been
done to their property, but they could still sing songs of praise to the Lord.
In the autumn of 1856 “the Lord flung him onto the sick bed” ( warf mich der Herr aufs
Krankenbett). Leonhard had jaundice and fever, likely hepatitis, and was very near death. Wife
Maria certainly had her hands full. She carefully nursed her sick husband, but also dealt with the
rumours that he was being thought of as a ministerial candidate. “No,” she replied, “then I would
sooner see him die!” Leonhard himself, however, felt more positively about the challenge. During
his prolonged recovery he felt a special blessing; he was able to attend his first church service, albeit
with some help, shortly before Christmas.
Leonhard had an imposing stature, and a deep pleasant voice. He had a serious outlook on
life in general, but still had a sense of humour which often bubbled over. He was liked by the
surrounding Russian population, both those of high and low rank. What Leonhard Abramovich said
and decided, was virtual law. He was a lover of horses, he enjoyed nature, particularly flowers and
trees. He was known as a good gardener. It was said of him that he did not pray at all, he simply
had a conversation with the Lord.
In the 1850s Leonhard was influenced by and associated with Eduard Wuest, a Lutheran
pietistic preacher based in Neuhoffhungsthal near Berdyansk. Some of Wuest’s “disciples”were the
more radical tending toward the “ Froehliche ” orientation, among whom were Johann Claassen and
Jakob Reimer from the Molotschna and Wilhelm Bartel from Berdyansk. Those of the calmer, more
staid ( Vernuenftigen ) interpretation, included August Lenzmann of Gnadenfeld and Leonhard
Sudermann. Leonhard considered himself to be a good friend of Wuest’s, he and his wife being
among those present at Wuest’s deathbed on 13 July 1859.
Leonhard’s brother Abraham had repeatedly encouraged him to visit his old homeland. On
13 October 1858 they actually set out on the arduous five-week trip, joined by two young men, one
of which was the youngest brother of Maria. They had a covered wagon, dishes, food and fuel. The
wagon comfortably sat 4 people for travelling, with enough room for two to sleep, although they
stayed in guest rooms where they were available. When the group finally reached their destination,
the last part through snowy winter weather, Leonhard felt like bending down to kiss the ground.
They were warmly greeted by relatives as well as old and new friends. Leonhard took a three-week
side trip to Germany, spending 11 days in Berlin visiting various institutes and hearing famous
preachers, as well as seeing museums and castles. He also travelled to Saxony and Dresden.
Leonhard and Maria delayed their return to Russia because the Heubuden congregation had
elected brother Abraham as minister. They stayed for the installation celebrations, then headed for
home in May of 1859. Farewells with the Dietrich Rempels turned out to be the last contact -
Dietrich died in 1860, and his wife a few years later. The return trip again took five weeks.
Elise Jantzen was bom on 10 November 1860, daughter of Johann and Elisabeth Jantzen.
Elisabeth was the daughter of Herrmann, Leonhard’s older brother. Five days after Elise’s birth
Elisabeth died. The circumstances are not mentioned in Leonhard’s autobiography, but Elise became
the foster daughter of the Sudermanns; she lived with them, and was educated by them and migrated
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to the United States with them in 1876. She married Gerhard Claassen in 1880, and had 7 children;
the family continued to live in Whitewater. Elise was at Leonhard’s deathbed in 1900. She
eventually died 10 March 1931. Leonhard and Maria had no children of their own.
Soon after their return father-in-law Abraham Sudermann, due to his age and declining
health, wished to resign from his position as leader and minister of the Berdyansk congregation.
Because of the connection with the Gnadenfeld Church, and the fact that Abraham was still a
member there, the ministerial election to replace him was held in Gnadenfeld on 30 September 1859.
Leonhard was elected with 79 votes (we do not know how many people voted). He submitted
himself to the wishes of the church, despite feeling that he was not worthy of the trust being placed
in him. He resolved to put his whole time and effort into the new obligation. Being unused to
writing reports or preparing talks, he spent considerable time and effort, together with much prayer,
to write out his first sermon; his text was 2 Corinthians 5:18-21. He was to preach at the Gnadenfeld
Mennonite Church. Upon very short notice he was informed by the elder that the sermon was to be
shortened, since a marriage was also to take place that morning. The rather lengthy discourse stayed
in his breast pocket while he tried valiantly to briefly summarize his thoughts. God gave grace. He
preached his inaugural sermon in Berdyansk using Isaiah 40:6-11 on the last Sunday before Advent.
For at least three years Leonhard, with hard work, continued to write out his sermons, often
working far into the night. Eventually he was able to memorize enough of the thoughts, so it did not
all have to be written out. The Lord proved himself to be mighty through the weak. In time the
requests to preach came so frequently, often on short notice, that he was on occasion forced to speak
extemporaneously. Since his was not a paid position, and because he spent considerable time at his
calling, economically he did not do as well as his neighbours.
Minister Abraham Sudermann, because of his age and poor health, withdrew from church
work; the other minister had moved back to the colonies, so the membership wrote the
Kirchenconvent , asking for further leadership in their situation. Two brothers had already started
serving the church. In the autumn of 1865 Leonhard and these two were on the ballot for the
eldership. Under the supervision of an elder from the Molotschna the election was held in
September, and Leonhard was chosen. He entered full-time service, with added responsibilities.
With the selection of an elder, and two other ministers, the Berdyansk congregation was no longer
an affiliate of Gnadenfeld, but was granted independent status.
There had been complaints for some time that youth work had not been emphasized in the
church. Leonhard introduced Sunday School/Catechism classes for Sunday afternoons. This was
probably the first Sunday School held by Mennonites in Russia. Teaching from the Bible also helped
him in the preparation of sermons.
The church membership had in the meantime grown. Private homes for services had long
been abandoned, but even the school classroom was now proving to be too small and the benches
too hard. A building fund for a new sanctuary had been established even before the onset of the
Crimean War, and funds had been received from Prussia and the major colonies. Together with the
money donated by the membership, the construction could start. The foundation was laid for a nine
fathom long structure in May of 1858. But there was a rather nasty quarrel about the proposed length
of the building - should it be eight or nine fathoms long? Despite the building committee being
dismissed at one point, the first worship service was held in the new solidly built brick church on
Pentecost of 1863. The finishing touches were soon completed, and the congregation could meet
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in their totally paid-for church.
In 1869 Czar Alexander II, returning from a holiday in the Crimea, asked to meet a number
of Mennonite representatives in Odessa. To his astonishment Leonhard was asked to be one of these
representatives. There, in his discussions with the Governor-General of New Russia Kozebu and
the C ommittee of Guardians about the Alexander scholarships for Mennonites, he stated that “Those
among our young people who attend Russian Gymnasia (junior colleges) are lost.” Leonhard was
considered to be pious, fairly well educated, but entirely German-educated, so this opinion did not
come as a surprise. Someone later commented that the honest bishop erred: “It has proven to be
much harder to keep the youth in America than it ever was in Russia.”
Again unexpectedly Leonhard was chosen by the Alexanderwohl Conference of 22 January
1871 to be one of the delegates to go to St Petersburg in February of 1871, hopefully to convince the
Czar that Mennonites should be exempted from the proposed universal military service. A document
outlining the Mennonite position on nonresistance was presented at St Petersburg on 2 March 1871.
It was signed by Elders Gerhard Dueck and Leonhard Sudermann, Ministers Franz Isaak, Peter
Goertz and Heinrich Epp and member-at-large Hermann Janzen. They were to present the Czar “the
pleas of our people for farther gracious tolerance and legal affirmation of our freedom from military
service both now and in the future.”
The delegation met with Count Heyden, president of the Imperial Council, where as
spokesman for the Molotschna group, Leonhard Sudermann outlined the position that Mennonites
could not accept any type of service to the state organized by the military. But he added, “The
Mennonites recognize the government, obey it, and pray for it.” Asked what he would do in the
event of war he replied “I would be reconciled to the enemy, and would embrace him, but not kill
him!” Thereupon the Count smiled and opined that if all refused to serve in the armed forces, no
state could exist. Count Heyden informed the deputies that they could now achieve no more and
should go home. He would bring up the subject with the authorities at the appropriate time. The
delegation had been fortunate in that the President of the Odessa Guardians Committee had been
in the city to translate for them, since neither Elder Dueck, the leader of the Chortitza group nor
Leonhard knew any Russian. This was a shortcoming which the President of the Council had not
been slow to criticize.
After the St Petersburg meeting, Leonhard, together with another delegate, made a side trip
to Prussia where he visited brother Abraham and preached in a number of churches and private
homes over the Easter season. Another attempt was made to meet with the Czar as he was
vacationing on the south coast of the Crimea at the Livadia Palace. Again Leonhard was one of the
delegates, and again they were not able to meet with the Czar. Upon his return Leonhard and a
substantial part of the church concluded that further negotiations would be fruitless; migration to
North America seemed to be an increasingly favourable option.
Leonhard was one of the 12 delegates sent to explore Canada and the United States, from the
point of view of availability of land, of opportunities in North America, but above all else the
possibility to live according to their consciences. In his own words he was like one of the twelve
spies sent to investigate a potential homeland. For him even the proposed alternate service suggested
by the Czarist government gave indirect support to the military, exposed Mennonite youth to the
dangers of life in the barracks and placed the future existence of Mennonites in Russia in jeopardy.
For Leonard and many others pacifism was also associated with a closed community, a strict
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separation from the world and resistance to all cultural assimilation. If Russia would not grant these
conditions, another home would have to be found.
The five month trip began in the spring of 1873. The Bergthal representatives landed in
Montreal in February, the other ten arrived in New York in April. Jakob Buller of Alexanderwohl
and Leonhard Sudermann represented the Molotschna. Groups of the delegates visited various parts
of the United States, including Nebraska, Kansas, Colorado and Texas. They then met in
Moorehead, Minnesota to inspect the northern states and Manitoba as one group. On 14 June 1873
the 12 delegates left Moorehead, heading for Winnipeg on the river boat International. On Sunday,
June 15, Wilhelm Hespeler, representative of the Canadian government, asked the crew to stop the
engines and invited all on board to participate in a church service. John F Funk preached in English,
and Leonhard Sudermann and Wilhelm Ewert (representative from West Prussia) in German. John
Funk and Leonhard Sudermann sang a duet “ Was kann es Schoen 'res geben .” Wilhelm Ewert closed
the rather lengthy service with prayer. On Tuesday, June 17, the ship docked in Winnipeg; over the
next number of days the delegates visited various regions of southern Manitoba. By July 1 Leonhard
and Buller had seen enough and headed south the following day. Sometime during these travels
Leonhard managed to meet Mennonites in Ontario, in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, as well as
Elkhart, Indiana and Summerfield, Illinois. He learned to know people in these regions, and also
preached frequently.
On 22 August 1873 the delegates boarded the S S Homonia in New York for the return
journey. The first day at sea was calm, but on August 24 a severe storm struck. It even washed away
one of the lifeboats and did considerable damage to the ship. Leonhard thought about his dear wife
at home and made his peace with God. After a number of days the storm settled and some of the
damage could be repaired. Two of the five engine boilers were out of commission, two of the major
sails were tom to shreds. Slowly the ship continued on its course. After a brief stops in Plymouth,
England and Cherbourg, France, they landed in Hamburg on September 5. The following day they
arrived in West Prussia, then eight days later in Alexanderwohl, Molotschna, where they gave their
reports. All of the delegates were grateful to God for the safe journey, and were very happy to meet
family and friends.
Upon reaching home Leonhard resumed his function as elder. The trip report convinced a
large number of Mennonites that migration to North America was the preferred option. There was
land available, and the Mennonites had lived many years in the USA and Canada without being
forced to counter their cherished beliefs. When brothers from his own congregation asked what his
own thoughts about the future were, Leonhard answered, “I have decided for immigration, but my
wish would be that this important step would be taken together with my whole church.” By others
he was described as the “irreconcilable” leader of the immigration, somewhat surprising in an
otherwise mild and understanding person. He started to settle his own affairs to ready himself for
the trip.
Since Leonhard had not been able to attend a large informational meeting called for
Alexanderwohl, the Czar’s representative. Adjutant-general von Todleben asked for a separate
meeting in Steinbach. Todleben tried to convince Leonhard that it would be preferable to remain
in Russia, but the latter reiterated his intention to leave; the decision to leave, however, should be
left up to each individual. Immigration in earnest occurred in 1874 and 1875, but it soon became
apparent that a considerable part of his own congregation did not agree with Leonhard, and opted
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to stay, so he gave up the dream of the whole congregation moving. At a wedding in Berdyansk in
August of 1877 there were still at least 60 Mennonite families living in the city.
Added to the variations of opinion about migration was the fact that the Russian government
was now planning to substitute Sanitaetsdienst (medical orderly service) and Forsteidienst (forestry
service) for active military duty. This was a sign that the government did value the Mennonites and
wished them to stay. But Leonhard was not convinced that the government would remain true to its
promises - it had backed down on "The Privileges” which had been guaranteed almost a hundred
years ago, and might do so again!
Leonhard, gentlemanly and kind, undoubtedly developed many good friends in Berdyansk.
He often sought the advice of his good friend Cornelius Janzen, especially in public and business
affairs. They were both very determined to leave Russia for the United States. While using entirely
different tactics, they were striving for the same goal, although one suspects for different reasons.
They still remained friends, though apparently they had some disagreements in their new homeland.
In the meantime Leonhard was having trouble with his travel plans. The property which he
could have easily sold in 1873 was now without a buyer. He finally had to leave it unsold, trusting
it to a dear friend and neighbour who was only able to sell it for two-thirds of the price several years
later. He was however, able to overcome most of the other difficulties by the summer of 1876. The
most difficult part of leaving was saying farewell to his own beloved congregation. Leonhard, his
wife and foster daughter joined a group of Mennonites largely from West Prussia which included
his two older brothers, Abraham and Hermann, with their families. Three sisters were staying, so
farewells had to be said.
The group boarded the steamship S S Main in Bremen, and 15 days later arrived in New York
on 26 August 1876. The three brothers had decided to first settle in Summerfield, Illinois where
relatives, Wilhelm Quirings, were expecting them, and had already made comfortable arrangements
for a place to stay. They also received a friendly reception from the local Mennonite church.
In the autumn of 1876 and spring of 1877 Leonhard searched for a home in Kansas or
Nebraska. He found something very suitable, a group of Prussian Mennonites who had just
established a small fellowship in Butler County, Kansas. Here he could fulfill his wish of also
serving God in the United States. There were acquaintances and friends he had met in Russia,
Prussia and in North America. The Emmaus Gemeinde in Whitewater, Kansas, asked for the
Sudermanns to join them, and for Leonhard to be their pastor. They boarded the train 21 April 1877,
eventually arriving in Whitewater, where they were invited into the home of Gerhard Regier. There
they stayed all summer. A quarter section of land had been acquired and appropriate buildings were
being erected. Despite interruptions due to rain they were able to move into the new house by
September. The following spring a church was built 200 paces north of the house, certainly making
the task of being the minister as easy as possible.
Work in the church was by-and-large quite rewarding. Nineteen years later Leonhard could
say that his aims in life had largely been accomplished. Three other men in the congregation also
participated in proclaiming the word, giving Leonhard the assurance that in the event of his death
the church would continue to function. Eduard Claassen was a friend and one of the co-workers in
the Whitewater church. He said of Leonhard, “Wisely and carefully he led the congregation, always
concerned with our welfare. None of us ever sensed that he wanted to dominate or control us. The
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years of our common pilgrimage passed
in love and harmony...”
Leonhard was often asked to
preach in other churches as well. In 1878
he attended a General Conference in
Wadsworth, Illinois, where he found the
parliamentary procedures to be somewhat
“interesting.” He also attended other
General and Western district conferences.
In 1882 the Conference asked him to
travel as far as Canada; he took the
opportunity to visit other churches on the
way. He participated in various
committees, seemingly being most
interested in mission work, both foreign
and home missions.
On 1 April 1880 foster daughter
Elise Jantzen married Gerhard Claassen
in Whitewater. The couple continued to
live in that community, between 1881 and
1896 having seven children. They seem
to have been significant support for
Leonhard and Maria in their latter years.
On 23 October 1892 Leonhard and
Maria celebrated their fiftieth wedding
anniversary. They very much enjoyed the
participation of their “children,” of the congregation and many friends and relatives from far and
wide, including those from Prussia and Russia. While still in bed that morning they were greeted
by a choir singing “Now Thank We All Our God.” There were, of course festivities, and Leonhard
eloquently expressed his thanks to God. He recalled that both he and his “better half’ had been
seriously ill on several occasions in their lives, but had both recovered.
In 1898 Leonhard noted that neither his eyes nor his ears were functioning as well as they had
done in his youth. Even his memory was starting to fade, so for the past two years he had prudently
and carefully thought out and written down everything he was going to say. Toward the end of his
days Leonhard had become hoarse at times, making it difficult to preach, even to teach his beloved
Sunday School.
Leonhard died suddenly of a heart attack on 26 January 1900, at 8:30 PM. That last day he
was still diligently working at a sermon he planned to deliver on 4 February. He worked at it during
the day, then they had guests, including Franz Wall from Russia, for supper time. Leonhard recited
appropriate verses from a song, and women sat down to knit, and the men to talk. Then he was
quiet, and despite attempts to rouse him he did not awaken. He breathed three breaths, his foster
daughter Elise Claassen called to him, but there was no answer. He had died. The sermon he had
prepared that day was preached the following Sunday, not by his own lips, but through the mouth
Maria and Leonhard Sudermann about 1890
200
of good friend and fellow minister Eduard Claassen.
The funeral was held 31 January 1900. Extra boards were added to the church to increase
the capacity by 125, to a total of 500. Guests had arrived from many localities in Kansas; even Peter
Janzen (Jansen) was there from Nebraska. At the Sudermann home Johann Andres preached on the
text Revelation 7:13-17; prayer was by the elder of the Swiss Mennonite church. This was followed
by another sermon and a song by the choir. At the church Elder Galle spoke, also using Revelation
7:13-17 as text. Gustav Harder preached on Hosea 6:1 and the choir sang “Forever With the Lord.”
This was followed by another five sermons and songs by the congregation and a number of different
choirs. Elder Wilhelm Ewert prayed at the graveside and Elder Christian Krehbial concluded
proceedings with a blessing. It was remarked that not only the family, but the whole church felt
orphaned, having lost its elder.
Leonhard Abraham Sudermann seems to have been universally appreciated. He was thought
of as “usually mild and soft spoken” although he could, when he felt it necessary, be the
“uncompromising leader...” While Leonhard had only a rudimentary primary school education, his
preaching was appreciated for its warmth, simplicity and modesty. He kept meticulous records of
all his trips and kept a diary. His notes and letters show him to have been a conscientious and
diligent worker.
Peter Janzen (Jansen), son of Cornelius, considered him to have been a good friend. They
had even shared beds on a covered wagon on an extended trip to the Crimea. Peter said of him “Yes,
he has gone from us, this true warrior who served his Lord, whose God-given voice never tired of
singing songs for his Master. Now he sings the everlasting song of the redeemed before the throne
of the Lamb. May his memory remain a blessing.”
Wife Maria Sudermann died 8 November 1915 in Whitewater, Kansas. Foster daughter Elise
Claassen died 10 March 1931, also in Whitewater.
Sources:
Claassen, Ed, “Etwas aus dem Leben und Wirken unseres heimgegangenen Aeltesten Leonhard
Sudermann,” Christlicher Bundesbote, 15 February 1900, p 6
Friesen, P M, Die Alt-Evangelische Mennonitische Bruederschaft in Russland (1789-1910),
Halbstadt, Taurida, 1911, pp 82, 83,85,86, 185, 186,493,494,498,499-501,506,581,707
Isaac, Franz, Die Molotschnaer Mennoniten, H J Braun, Halbstadt, Taurida, Russia, 1908,
pp 295-300
Mennonite Encyclopedia, Vol 4, pp 653, 997
Mennonitische Rundschau
Autobiography of Elder Leonhard Sudermann, the last part completed by his wife
29 August, 1900 p 1; 5 September 1900, p 1; 12 September 1900, p 1;
19 September 1900, p 1; 26 September 1900, p 1; 3 October 1900, pp 1, 2
Obituary
By H Thiessen 7 February 1900, p 6
By Peter Janzen (Jansen) 14 February 1900 p 1
201
Reimer, Gustav E and Gaeddert, G R, Exiled by the Czar: Cornelius Jansen and the Great
Mennonite Migration, 1874 , Mennonite Publication Office, Newton, Kansas, 1956,
pp 23-25
Schroeder, William, Huebert, Helmut T, Mennonite Historical Atlas , Second Edition, revised
and expanded, Springfield Publishers, Winnipeg, Canada, 1996, pp 70, 71, 140, 141
Smith, C Henry, The Coming of the Russian Mennonites, Mennonite Book Concern, Berne,
Indiana, 1927, pp 45, 51
Sudermann, Elder Leonhard, “Building a Mennonite Church in Berdyansk,” Translated by
John B Toews, Mennonite Life, June 1998, pp 16-23. Toews introduces this article
with a brief biography of Sudermann.
202
HEINRICH ABRAM EDIGER
(1858-1943)
ALEXANDER HEINRICH EDIGER
(1893-1938?)
HEINRICH ABRAM EDIGER
Heinrich Abram Ediger was bom 6 November 1858 in Gnadenfeld, Molotschna. His
grandfather, Salomon Peter Ediger, had migrated from Prussia to the Molotschna in 1819. His
father, Abram Ediger, first lived in Gnadenfeld, had taught in the private school on the Rosenhof
Estate near Melitopol from 1861 to 1867, then moved to Berdyansk to start a business. According
to one record Heinrich was the oldest of four children, the others being Peter (bom 1860), Salomon
and Elisabeth. Salomon later lived on the Itschkistak Station in the
Crimea, and Elisabeth married Heinrich Rempel, and also lived in
the Crimea.
Abram thought that his former school was a good place to
send his sons. He undoubtedly was dedicated to his former teacher
Heinrich Franz I, but also thought that it might be of advantage for
his sons to have a change of scenery and to meet different people.
He took the two boys the 180 km to the Rosenhof Estate to begin
their classes on 13 August 1871. There were 40 students in all, 30
of them boys; 18 stayed in a dormitory which was just one thin wall
away from the residence of the Franz family. The day started at
6:30 AM, with breakfast at 7 AM, and classes at 8 AM. Homework
was completed by 9:30 PM, followed by devotions lead by Franz,
and lights out at 10 PM. Subjects included religion, German,
Russian, arithmetic, algebra, geometry, nature studies, geography,
church and world history, penmanship and music. Much time was
spent copying notes, since there were very few text-books. Franz
was from Prussia, so he did not know Russian very well, but he
certainly enjoyed teaching arithmetic. He was up with the latest in science, commenting on the
Darwin theory of evolution, “We will allow Darwin to find his forefathers among the monkeys and
to decorate his picture gallery of ancestors with them; his own photograph would be a fitting
conclusion to this collection.” Darwin’s On the Origin of Species was first published in 1859, so the
incorporation of these comments into the lesson by this time was remarkable. Singing, particularly
chorales, was high on the agenda of the school.
Franz was a very strict teacher, punishing both misdeeds and lack of ability; he was often
angry, although he did on occasion show his sense of humour. Heinrich seemed to, either because
of his ability or good fortune, stay out of trouble. The one time he received corporal punishment was
a relatively light “strap” with a ruler to his hand. Franz commented “You too, Brutus?” The second
year Heinrich Franz II joined the faculty. He had an entirely different approach to education, using
encouragement rather than punishment as a learning tool. The students seemed to learn even better
this way! Physics was added to the course of studies. The third year seemed to go well for Heinrich,
with English included as a non-obligatory subject.
203
Heinrich then went to the Gnadenfeld Zentralschule, probably for at least four years, one of
his teachers being David Goerz. After he completed his schooling he taught for a few years.
Heinrich then moved to Berdyansk, where he established a print shop and a bookstore.
Heinrich married Emilie Friesen, probably about 1885; she was the daughter of wealthy mill
owner, J Friesen of Berdyansk. The couple had at least three children:
1. Theodor - went to university and became a historian
2. Harry - went to university and became a lawyer
3. Alexander - bom 1893 in Berdyansk, went to University at St Petersburg, teacher,
minister, musician (see separate biography)
Heinrich's print shop and bookstore seem to have been fairly successful businesses, opening
the way for him to exert influence and become involved in civic affairs. P M Friesen mentions him
as being involved in the printing of three different religious pamphlets, such as Die Chortitza
Zentralschule 1842-1892 , written by A Neufeld at the fiftieth anniversary of the school, and printed
in 1893. Various publications of interest to Mennonites were also available in his bookstore. While
being his occupation and obviously his delight, it was also on occasion the cause of trouble, because
of ridiculously close government censorship.
Czar Alexander III died 1 November 1894. An official named Aronov composed a poem in
honour of the Czar and took it to Ediger's establishment to have it printed. Presumably thinking that
there could be no possible objections, the manager of the shop went ahead and printed it without
consulting Heinrich. When Heinrich became aware of it, the deed was done. They elected to lie
low. However, several days later an official appeared at Heinrich’s office, asking if permission had
been granted for the publication of the poem. It had not. No arguments as to the innocuous nature
of the publication worked. Eventually Heinrich was charged with an illegal act, and was subject to
a one to thirty day jail sentence and a fine of five to three hundred rubles. Also, during the time of
the investigation he could not continue his work as a city official. Heinrich was not amused by the
joking assertion of the various officials that they would visit him in jail. In time the problem was
finally laid to rest when the government, in honour of the new Czar Nicholas II, declared an amnesty
for all people charged with minor offences.
At the end of February 1895 Heinrich went to an exposition in St Peterburg. This was the
first All-Russian Graphic Exibition, where he participated in the book-printing and binding section.
For his display he received a commendation.
In 1903 or 1904 there was another run-in with the law. The police appeared at the shop,
claiming that something had not been censored. This time Heinrich hauled out the law-book,
showing that for that type of printing censorship was not required. The charge stood. Heinrich
personally knew the judge, W A Martos, so they had a brief discussion before the case came to the
docket. They agreed upon a fine of 2 rubles, which is exactly what the judge then publically asked
Heinrich to pay.
Heinrich was involved in printing and in selling books, but was also in writing. Together
with David H Epp he worked as editor of Der Botschafter , which was initially published in
Ekaterinoslav, but then moved to Berdyansk. It was presumably then printed by Ediger. Heinrich
later wrote Erinnerungen aus meinem Leben, which was published in Germany in 1927, as well as
a series of articles about his former teacher, Meine Schulzeit bei Lehrer Heinrich Franz , which
appeared in Der Bote in 1930.
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Heinrich was also involved in a number of other business ventures. He was one of the
investors in the Tokmak Railway which was built 1910-1912. He was elected to the executive of
the shareholders at a meeting held in Berdyansk 21 June 1911. He was also a director of the national
bank in Berdyansk.
Heinrich was an official of the Mennonite community (they had their own mayor and
functioned as a village of the Molotschna), but was also on the Berdyansk city council for a
considerable length of time and was the mayor for some years. In 1897, as a councillor, he was
involved in the planning for the visit of the Russian Minister of Transportation, Count Chilkov. The
Count was going to arrive by steamer from the neighbouring port city of Taganrog. Police and
Harbour Chief Savalischen was all for keeping things simple; a greeting with the traditional bread
and salt was sufficient. Heinrich wanted to have a much more elaborate banquet. The skeptics said
that the minister would not have time in any case. But Heinrich was prepared. When the minister
came he was asked about his plans; probably revising his schedule he said he would be happy to
participate in the prepared feast. He and his officials visited the cathedral, inspected the train station
and strolled through a nice city garden, then appeared at the banquet promptly at the promised 6 PM.
Heinrich had invited 60 guests, 30 city officials, harbour and customs officials, the director of the
national bank, foreign consuls and a few industrialists. He had seated himself across the table from
the Count. He found out that the minister had learned railway management from the ground up,
starting by working in Canada for several years as a machinist! The friendship which came as a
result of this meeting benefited both Berdyansk and Heinrich on a number of occasions when the
Count helped in meeting people or even persuading the appropriate persons in government as the
need arose.
As part of his function as city administrator, Heinrich often had to greet all kinds of officials.
To help him adequately fulfill this role he had to look the part. In this capacity he had a special cap
made ( Beamptenmuetze). Now he could greet the governor of the province with equanimity. He
even used this cap to his advantage on one occasion when some ruffians wanted to beat up Heinrich
and his coach driver. Seeing this official-looking cap made them turn back.
It did not seem that Heinrich played a major role in the function the Mennonite Church of
Berdyansk, but he did play some part. In 1899 the Mennonite suburb ofMakorty had no school. The
40-50 students in the district had to travel the four-kilometre distance to city schools; this was a
problem in the rain and snow in certain seasons. Heinrich built a roomy school and teacherage in
his garden and offered it to the city for its use. The city administration gladly accepted the offer.
The school was opened on the one hundredth anniversary of Alexander Pushkin’s birth, so it was
named Pushkin School. Heinrich was chosen curator. When the school opened it had 48 students.
Heinrich did contribute to some other Mennonite causes, but one cannot say that the 3 rubles for the
Bethania Heilanstalt he gave in October 1911 was overly generous; he opened the purse strings a
little more when he contributed 25 rubles to help establish a bursary in honour of Minister Abraham
Goerz in 1913. He did not seem to think that it was necessary to reach the Mennonite community
for his business. While considerable a number of other printers and bookstores regularly placed
advertizing in the Christlicher Fami/ienkalendar , Heinrich did not place one ad in this publication
between 1901 and 1915.
Heinrich was treasurer of the local Red Cross committee at the start of World War I, drawing
the observation that it was peculiar for a German to be involved in this committee in a war against
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Germany. He was also a director of the national bank. It is not known how long he held the
position, but in 1918 he was the Danish Vice-Consul. During the German occupation of Ukraine
in 1918 Heinrich set out for Berlin in October to purchase necessary medical supplies. With
considerable adventures along the way, including riots on Enter den Linden in Berlin, he finally
arrived back home December 17, narrowly avoiding areas occupied by Nestor Makhno.
During the times of prosperity the Edigers likely lived well. They had a large house in the
city, but also a cottage outside of the city where on occasion they had picnics. At some time during
the Civil War the Edigers must have started down-sizing, perhaps in preparation for leaving. They
sold their large house to a Widow Riediger, but continued to live in one of the wings. When the Red
Army started bombarding Berdyansk, people would, of course, try to flee. No Russian citizen was
allowed to leave. Because he was the Danish Vice-Consul Heinrich was able to circumvent the
regulation by escaping to the Crimea on an ice-breaker. Many other foreigners and his family were
also allowed to crowd onto this vessel. The bombardment started 28 February, and they were able
to flee on 1 March 1919. They were taken to Kerch, on the far eastern end of the Crimea, then
travelled the remaining distance by train. Their family was able to stay with Heinrich’s brother,
Salomon, who lived at Itschki Station. Apparently soon after his escape Heinrich departed for
Germany, leaving his wife Emilie behind. As excuse for leaving her he mentioned that the outside
temperature was only 15 degrees, and there was a 14-hour ride on the deck of a small steamer to
look forward to. She wept bitterly at the parting.
By 16 February 1921 Heinrich had arrived in Germany. His address at the time was Hofpiz
Mohrenstrasse, Berlin. In 1927 he lived in Karlsruhe, possibly through connections with Benjamin
Unruh. That year he published a book recounting his experiences; the address given in the book was
Karlsruhe-Rueppur (Baden). He probably read the North American Mennonite papers, since he
published a series of articles about his former teacher in Der Bote in 1930. Heinrich Abram Ediger
died in Karlsruhe 23 June 1943. His brief biography in The Mennonite Encyclopedia was written
by Benjamin H Unruh.
ALEXANDER HEINRICH EDIGER
Alexander Heinrich Ediger was bom in 1893 in Berdyansk; he was the third son of Heinrich
Abram Ediger and Emilie Friesen. The home was described as having an educated, but according
to Mennonite standards, somewhat worldly atmosphere. Alexander received his elementary
education at home with tutors. As well as the regular subjects he also learned and excelled in music.
He became an excellent pianist, and while he himself did not sing, developed into a well informed
inspiring conductor and also was a composer. At the appropriate age he entered the classical
Gymnasium in Berdyansk, even then demonstrating his great talents; he was also friendly and open.
Having completed his studies at the Gymnasium , he studied in the History-Philology faculty at the
University of St Petersburg. He then visited abroad, spending some time in Berlin and Vienna. At
the age of 22 or 23 he returned home to Berdyansk.
Katharina Dyck, in the meantime, was bom on Estate Tellentschi in the Crimea on 6 August
1896. Her parents, Jakob Dyck and Sara Reimer, owned one of the three farms which constituted
the estate. She had a happy childhood, although it was saddened by the accidental death of brother
Peter when he was nine years of age. The atmosphere in the Dyck home was decidedly leaning
toward a pious outlook on life. One brother, Johann, became a medical doctor, and following a brief
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time of service with the White Army, died of typhoid fever. Another brother, Jakob, was an
outspoken opponent of the Mennonite Selbstschutz, and later was involved with tent evangelism.
For schooling beyond the primary grades Katharina went to the Maedchenschule in
Halbstadt, studying there 1909-1912. She stayed in the home of her cousin, David Dyck. After
graduation she continued her education at a college in Kharkov. With the unsettled times of the
Revolution and the subsequent Civil War she and her parents thought that moving further south
might be a little safer, so Katharina transferred to a college in Berdyansk in 1918. Here she rented
a room from a Widow Riediger, who had bought the large house of Heinrich Ediger. The Edigers
still lived in one wing of the house.
As entertainment the Mennonite and German young people of Berdyansk had formed a club.
At the club people took turns preparing essays on various interesting themes, so one day Katharina
was asked to prepare for the next Saturday. Alexander Ediger had in the past attended the club, but
had stopped coming; this Saturday he came. She read her essay; the subject was God’s Love. In the
question period which followed there was dead silence. Then finally Alexander asked a few
questions, probably somewhat skeptically, and she answered. By Katharina’s account, “Later drinks
and dancing followed. When Alexander came to me I told him I didn’t dance. He was very much
surprised, because in his circle everybody danced. When we went home he came to my side again.
We talked a lot and he asked me if I would lend him my essay.” They continued to talk. There were
many interests in common, so they talked a lot, but also read the Bible and prayed together. When
she went home to her father during the holidays, Alexander also went to Halbstadt to ask her father’s
permission to marry Katharina. Soon they were engaged. Minister Jakob Friesen of the Mennonite
Brethren Church preaching on the occasion.
But the tides of the Civil War were relentless, and the Red Army was approaching even
Berdyansk. Heinrich Ediger was planning to escape to the Crimea with his family, so Alexander and
Katharina had to marry in a hurry. They were married by Minister Epp of the Berdyansk Mennonite
Church in his own home. Katharina wore a plain, though beautiful, white dress. The young couple
lived with his parents.
With the city being bombarded by the Red Army, Heinrich Ediger was able to flee to the
Crimea on an ice-breaker, together with his family and some of the other members of the foreign
community. Alexander and Katharina were on this crowded ship. Their first stop was at the home
of Heinrich’s brother Salomon at the Itschki Station. The house was very small, so they soon were
invited to the home of another of Heinrich’s siblings, Elisabeth Rempel, who lived in Sarona, and
had a much larger house. Katharina helped with the housework and milked the cows. In time
Alexander found employment teaching at Lutheran middle school in the village of Okretsch. There
they lived in a small apartment, there also their daughter Katharina Dagmar was bom in 1922.
During their time in Okretsch the White Army finally collapsed, and the Reds occupied the
region. They also stormed into the small Ediger apartment. They dared not touch Alexander,
because he lay in bed seriously ill with typhus. They wanted to know if there were any hidden
treasures. After digging up a number of silver spoons that Katharina showed them, they left. Also
during this time Alexander was elected as a minister by his home congregation in Berdyansk. It is
probable that he travelled there for the dedication ceremonies.
The village of Femheim in the Crimea wanted to establish a middle school, and also need
a minister. Alexander was asked to accept the challenge, which he gladly did. For a time they lived
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Alexander and Katharina in the Crimea
in a house in Karassan, together with
Alexander’s mother Emilie. Alexander and
Katharina prepared a program during this time
with the theme, “The walls also have tales to
tell,” Katharina providing the prose,
Alexander accompanying on the piano.
In the autumn of 1923 word came that
the village council of Liebenau, Molotschna
would like to ask Alexander to be the teacher
for their elementary school and also serve as
minister. This was accepted without
hesitation. Alexander hired a rack wagon and
a team of horses. The wagon was filled with
hay, covered with burlap, and then all their
worldly possessions were placed on top of
that. Somewhat portly Mother Emilie had
considerable difficulty climbing up, but
gamely tried. The trip to Liebenau took about a week. The people on the way were fearful of
strangers, so most nights were spent in the open. When they reached the first Mennonite village of
Altona, however, they received a genuine Mennonite meal, including Rollkuchen and watermelons.
They arrived in Liebenau before evening, and drove straight to the school yard, and again were
served a delicious welcoming meal by “Old Grandmother Neufeld.” That night they slept in proper
beds in a fully furnished home. Alexander had his study, mother Emilie had her own comer room
where she often looked after Dagmar and sewed clothes for her by hand. Emilie is not mentioned
in subsequent moves by the family, and since there is no indication that her husband sent for her to
join him in Germany, it is likely that she died in Liebenau sometime between 1923 and 1926.
Alexander dug right into the work. He started teaching, assisted by Katharina (Tina) Dyck
(nee Fehderau). But this teaching team did not last long. Alexander taught only one winter, when
the Communists relieved him of his position. Ministers were not allowed to teach school. His
assistant in the meantime immigrated to Canada. The village council did not wait long to appoint
a Miss Hertha Rempel from Halbstadt and Alexander’s wife, Katharina, as teachers. What Katharina
did not have in size (she was called the Little Teacher) she certainly made up in dynamic energy.
The school was always planning some kind of special event! She seems to have loved literature,
especially poetry; memorizing long poems was meted out, sometime just as homework, other times
as punishment, or even as reward.
Shortly after the Edigers arrived they actively participated in the centenary celebrations of
the village of Liebenau, which were held on 23 October 1923. Alexander conducted the Liebenau
choir in a presentation of Schiller's Das Lied von der Glocke. At the same time a dramatic
representation of the poem was prepared in which Katharina did much of the work. An observer
commented “The yard was large and overflowed with people. And the singing and music were
wonderful. We had very good soloists in Liebenau.since it was a warm October day, it was good
that the mighty poplars that Liebenau had in abundance, provided their cool, refreshing shade. How
exhilaratingly beautiful everything was.” The same writer also had unforgettable memories of
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dropping in to the Ediger home, sitting in the large living room, and never tiring of hearing
Alexander play on the piano. Friday evenings were often spent at the Ediger home. Alexander
would first present a meditation, and then rehearse chorales
with the group. “The Little Teacher” together with her
colleague frequently practiced various plays with them.
Particularly after he was relieved of his teaching job
Alexander brought all his talents and energy into the work
of the church, both locally in his own congregation, but
also into the wider Mennonite community. The Schoensee
congregation had what was thought to be the biggest and
most beautiful church building of the Mennonites in
Russia. Alexander was now breathing new breath into the
spiritual life of the church. He was very friendly and had
an amiable disposition. He was a good public speaker, and
presented excellent sermons. Inspiring Bible studies,
prayer meetings and Bible conferences and song festivals
helped the church grow. Even choir practices were used to
further the mission of the church. He performed the usual
functions expected of ministers or elders, delivering
funeral orations, or more happily performing marriages as
well as baptizing new members.
For a time there was improvement in the economy
of the region, so that the Schoensee congregation could
actually pay Alexander. During this time Katharina was
expecting their second child, so Alexander wanted her to give up teaching, and bought a fairly large
house in Schoensee. It had a big yard and a large garden. They bought it from a Widow Dueck with
a long-term payment schedule; she wanted to migrate to North America. During the time that the
Edigers lived in Schoensee Harry was bom, on 7 December 1926. Dagmar had been a quiet baby,
but Harry was not. He
was also ill as an infant,
having an especially
severe case of mumps.
When the
economy again slumped,
however, the members of
the Schoensee
congregation could no
longer support the
minister’s salary, so
Alexander was forced to
sell. The house was
bought by Peters, the teacher in Schoensee. But the people of Liebenau had not forgotten their
minster, and built a small house for them so that they would have a roof over their heads. Even
The Schoensee Mennonite Church, built in 1909
Alexander with Katharina and
daughter Dagmar in Liebenau
209
Katharina helped in the construction, staining the floor with the help of a friend. This house, though
small, must have meant a lot to the Edigers. There was a special dedication service for the new
home in the Schoensee church. Elder Jakob Paetkau of Kalinovo, Memrik gave the dedicatory
address. Katharina composed a 32-stanza poem of eight lines each for the occasion, which was
recited by memory by a young student, Helene Neufeld.
An example of Alexander’s work during this time was his participation in the Menno-Feier,
celebrating the four hundredth anniversary of the beginning of Anabaptism. The program was held
in the Schoenau Church on 25 January 1925. Alexander preached the first of three sermons, and
made the concluding remarks. It is quite possible that he conducted the Liebenau mixed choir, the
Liebenau men’s choir as well as the Schoensee choir at this celebration.
Alexander accompanied a choir at a Christmas concert in Halbstadt on one occasion. Peter
Rempel, a Teachers College student at the time, just barely got into the building. He wrote of his
experience, “At the conductor’s signal the singers rose and the wonderful strains of Praise to the
Lord, the Almighty, the King of Creation rang through the church. This inspiring song was
accompanied by Mr. Ediger, Liebenau on the piano.Once again all eyes were fixed on the small
choir which had risen at a signal from the conductor. In beautiful gentle tones the piano began the
overture....”
The church must have appreciated Alexander’s work. In 1925 he was elected as elder; the
dedication service was carried out by Elder David H Epp.
While serving his own congregation with diligence, Alexander was also involved in the wider
Mennonite community. The very
timely Kommission fuer
Kirchenangelegenheiten ( KfK )
(Committee for Church Affairs) was
established in 1910 to deal with
problems arising from new laws
regarding religious groups. The first
committee consisted of Elder Abram
Goerz, Heinrich Braun and David H
Epp. During the Revolution and the
subsequent Civil War activities of
the committee were suspended until
October of 1922. The functions
remained much the same, although
with the Communist takeover
became much more difficult.
At the Allrussiche
Mennonitische Bundeskonferenz held
in Moscow 13-18 January 1925,
Alexander was not a chosen
representative for his congregation, but functioned on the executive. He reported that requests had
been presented to the appropriate government offices regarding the establishment of Bible schools
and devotional services for children, but had been turned down. The decision about the non-resistant
A family gathering in Schoensee, Alexander and
Katharina in the back row holding their children
Elderly gentleman in the centre is Katharina’s
father, Jakob Dyck
210
status of young men was still pending. He was asked to continue the struggle. Executive of the KfK
elected at this conference was Alexander Ediger, Aaron Dyck of Margenau and Komelius K Martens
of Grossweide, Alexander being the chairman. The address given for any official correspondence
was that of Alexander in Liebenau. Members representing the Crimea and Siberia on the executive
were added later.
As chairman of the KfK Alexander reported to the All-Ukrainian Conference of Mennonite
Churches held in Melitopol 5-9 October 1926. Many of the objectives of the committee had not
been met “through no fault of their own.” (This would mean government interference, but this could
not be mentioned directly, since there were government representatives monitoring the conference).
They had made no progress with implementing private religious instruction, opening Mennonite
children’s homes with Christian training, publishing a Christian calendar, having choir conductor
seminars or establishing itinerant ministries. Aaron Dyck then reported some success in tax relief
for ministers, permission to establish a Bible school (this was never actually allowed to happen) and
allowing young men to avoid active military duty. He then explained the work load involved: 75
official presentations, 24 meetings and 19 major trips. Alexander would have been involved in a
great deal of this activity. He made a number of trips to Kharkov (then capital of Ukraine) and
Moscow in dealings on behalf of the commission. The activities of the KfK came to a halt in 1929,
when most religious activities became impossible.
At the conference in Moscow of 1925 the 78 delegates endorsed the establishment of a
publication which would serve all Mennonites in Russia; after all, the Baptists and the Evangelical
Christian Church thought it to be necessary. The new KfK executive should look after this project,
and bring it to fruition as soon as possible. So Alexander was the editor, while managing editor and
secretary was Komelius K Martens, of Unser Blatt. The 2,500 copies were distributed monthly,
starting in October of 1925; there were from 16, up to 24 pages. Regular contributors were David
H Epp and Johann Rempel. Unser Blatt made a very significant contribution at the time when it was
difficult for various Mennonite groups to be in contact with each other, and when anti-religious
propaganda made spiritual life difficult. Reports from various congregations and conferences were
published, as well as biographies, statistics and articles about relevant religious questions. An article
in the first copy, With God, went on to say, “The Lord is with us, his omnipotence protects us, and
we will not hesitate.” Alexander himself wrote some of the reports, for example assessing the
conference of 1926. It was entitled “With God - For God,” and continued, “We are convinced of the
importance and meaning of work in the Kingdom of God, it is a holy work.” A number of poems
by Komelius Martens also appeared.
At the conference at Melitopol in 1926 the editors were encouraged to publish more
frequently, but they pointed out that even once a month was already extremely hard to manage.
Censorship very was difficult, but even obtaining enough paper to print on presented a problem. The
last issue was published in June of 1928; with increasing religious persecution at the time it is not
a surprise that further publication was forbidden by the government.
In August of 1928 Alexander and Katharina described the conditions under which they lived
in a letter to relatives in Canada. The weather had been beautiful, but there was a bad harvest, so
they did not expect to be paid any salary by the church. They had hoped for some income from
Unser Blatt, but the government had closed it down. Alexander had actually gone to Kharkov in an
effort to revive the publication - to no avail. They did have a big garden, three cows, two pigs and
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50 chickens. They had to butcher some of the chickens due to lack of feed. But, they countered,
the field was ripe for the harvest, although the reapers were few; that is, there was still much spiritual
work to be done.
Alexander was the second speaker at the silver wedding ceremony of Komelius and Sara
Martens, held in Grossweide, Molotschna, on 7 July 1929. He, of course, knew the couple well,
having worked with Komelius. Using 1 Chronicles 29:9 as text, he showed that the mature King
David remained thankful despite many misadventures. The celebrating couple had a great variety
of experiences, often very difficult, and yet had much to thank for. The seven children were
encouraged to always be a support for their parents.
Even with threats of expulsions and arrests on all sides, baptismal classes at Schoensee
proceeded in the spring of 1930. The baptisms were performed on Pentecost Sunday on 21 March.
Helene Neufeld was one of those on whom this rite was performed. Alexander gave her a special
verse for the day, “All this also comes from the Lord Almighty, wonderful in counsel and
magnificent in wisdom.” Isaiah 28:29.
Soon after the baptismal service the Edigers left their home in Liebenau in order to evade the
agents of the secret police (GPU), who were constantly threatening to arrest Alexander. They stayed
in the home of a good friend. Elder Jakob Paetkau, who lived in the village of Kalinovo in the
Memrik Colony. From this base Alexander looked for a job. In time he did find employment in the
factory town of Stalino, located in the Don basin, in the library of a factory. His responsibility was
to translate technical books from German and English into Russian. He was supervised by the
factory manager, a Jewish man named Koteen, who seemed to be pleased with Alexander’s work.
He was also very musical, and loved to hear Alexander play piano in the evenings. It is of interest
that at the same time Komelius Martens also found employment in Stalino as a teacher of Latin and
German, and as a bookkeeper at a medical college library.
Soon the secret police found Alexander in Stalino. Although the police found nothing illegal
in their living quarters he was arrested and imprisoned some time in 1931. At first Katharina
provided food for Alexander in the local jail, but then he was banished to Murmansk in the far north.
Katharina now had to find employment. She found work in private homes giving German instruction
to children, then she taught German in a Russian high school. When an offer came to manage the
household of her nephew, Willmar Ediger in Simferopol in the Crimea, she was happy to accept the
position.
In 1933 Alexander was transferred to Moscow for good behavior. Katharina received
government permission to visit him there. Alexander was given leave and a room in the home of
a Russian family. The couple spent several happy weeks together, helped by a food package received
from the MCC. This allowed Katharina to prepare a number of delicious meals. But soon Katharina
had to return to her job in Simferopol. Some time later Alexander was released outright on the
grounds of his being a valued worker. He came to Simferopol, where the family spent wonderful
time together. Alexander often sat at the piano and improvised while the family sang or hummed.
Alexander needed employment, so he contacted his former boss, Mr Koteen in Stalino. He
was again accepted at his position of supervisor of the factory library. On the way to Stalino the
Edigers were robbed, but were still happy to get back to their home.
The joy was not to last. The GPU again appeared at the door, searched the apartment, found
nothing, but still arrested Alexander. Katharina was told not to leave the city and to make
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arrangements for the care of her children at the Heinrich Edigers in Simferopol. This she complied
with; Mr Penner, foreman for Heinrich Ediger, came to get the children. A short time later Katharina
was also arrested.
Alexander and Katharina went to trial on trumped-up charges. Alexander, having learned
that defense was useless, was wise enough to remain silent. Katharina tried to speak, but burst out
crying. They were lead out of the courthouse as common criminals. Alexander’s sentence was seven
years, Katharina’s five. They were delivered to the same prison although they did not see each other.
On her birthday 6 August 1935 Alexander sent Katharina a tiny piece of bread that he had saved
from his own meagre rations.
Soon it came time for the prisoners to be transferred to the Bamlag labour camp, a journey
which took about a month. Because of his education Alexander was appointed secretary to the camp
director. Special little privileges were helpful, such as extra food and permission to shop in the small
camp store. Katharina also obtained a job in the camp office and on occasion also supervised the
hospital. They were able to live together, sometimes several weeks at a time.
In December of 1934 Sergey Kirov was assassinated, beginning Stalin’s paranoia-induced
“Great Purge.” For some peculiar reason the trickle-down effect changed all the rules at the labour
camps. Alexander was transferred and made foreman of a team of railway builders. Katharina
worked in kitchens and hospitals. In 1938 the work at that site had been completed, so a new camp
was established. They were all loaded onto a train, Alexander and Katharina together. Having
reached their destination, Alexander was suddenly ordered to present himself to the authorities.
Katharina stared in the direction he had gone...and never saw him again. The only sign she had that
he was alive was a postcard he sent some time later, with the heading, “My poor, poor Kaethe.”
From the card she surmised that he had been sent to a prison in the city of Svobodnyj.
Nothing further has been heard of Alexander Heinrich Ediger, excellent musician, well-liked
Elder and dedicated Christian. It is assumed that he died in prison some time after 1938.
In 1940 Katharina had served her five years and was set free. Despite being officially barred
from the city she found both of her children in Leningrad (St Petersburg). Dagmar was married by
then; her husband was Pavel Kiesselev. After many difficulties Katharina eventually reached the
American Zone in Germany in 1948, then migrated to Canada in February of 1949. She settled in
Kitchener, Ontario, where she worked in a hospital for 20 years. At the celebration of her one
hundredth birthday in 1996 both Dagmar and Harry were able to come out of Russia. Katharina
Ediger died 6 September 1998 at the age of one hundred and two. Her funeral was held in the
Kitchener Mennonite Brethren Church, where she was a member. Pastor John Wall, who had helped
her adjust to the new country, gave the funeral oration.
Sources:
Der Bote
“Unser Blatt, Geburt und Tod” by H Goertz, 19 January 1983, pp 1, 2
Der Botschafter
Report:
List of donations to memorial fund, 18 January 1913, p 4
213
Ediger, Heinrich, Erinnerungen aus meinem Leben, self- published, Karlsruhe-Rueppurr (Baden)
Germany, 1927, many pages. These remembrances, while interesting, give very little
actual personal information about Ediger himself
Ediger, H A, Meine Schulzeit bei Lehrer Heinrich Franz , a series of articles in Der Bole
28 May 1930, p 1; 4 June 1930, p 1; 11 June 1930, p 1; 18 June 1930 p 1
Ediger, Katharina, Under His Wings: Events in the lives of Elder Alexander Ediger and His
Family, Edited by Elisabeth Schulz, Translated by Mark Bachman, self-published.
Kitchener, Ontario, Canada, 1994, many pages. Much of the story and many of the
personal details of this biography come from this book
Friesen, P M, Die A/t-Evangelische Mennonitische Bruederschaft in Russ/and (1789-1910),
Raduga, Halbstadt, Taurida, 1911, pp 620, 670, 671, 712
Huebert, Helmut T, Kornelius Martens: Our Skillful Advocate, Springfield Publishers, Winnipeg,
Canada, 1986, pp 11-13
Huebert, Helmut T, Mo/otschna Historical Atlas, Springfield Publishers, Winnipeg, Canada,
2003, pp 59, 153-54, 184
Mennonite Encyclopedia, Vol 2, p 148-149; Vol 3, p 218; Vol 4 pp 786-787
Mennonitische Rundschau
Letter to the editor, sent in by Katharina Regier from Laird, Saskatchewan, quoting from a
letter sent to her by Heinrich Ediger from Germany. The recounting of events of the
family escape from Berdyansk is remarkably different than his own subsequent report,
and that of his children. In the letter he says, for example, that they were picked up by a
French destroyer while the Communists were already in Berdyansk. These “variances”
put in serious doubt the truth of any of his stories. 30 March 1921, p 12
Letter received from Moscow, 18 February 1925, p 3
Obituary:
Katharina Ediger, February 1999, p 28
Report of the Menno-Feier held 25 January 1925, 4 Mar 1925, p 3
Report on the Allrussische Mennonitische Bundeskonferenz held in Moscow 13-18 January
1925, 1 April 1925, pp 5, 8, 9; 8 April 1925 Beilage, pp 17-20
Report of the silver wedding celebration of Kornelius and Sara Martens, 18 September 1929,
p 12
Report of the Birthday Celebration of Katharina Ediger, December 1996, p 13
Rempel, Peter, in Overarching Grace in the Lives of Peter Rempel and Katharina Baerkmann,
translated and published by Dorothy Huebert, Winnipeg, Canada, 2003, p 63
Schroeder, William and Huebert, Helmut T, Mennonite Historical Atlas, Springfield Publishers,
Second Edition, 1996, pp 28, 33, 34
Toews, Aron A, Mennonitische Maertyrer, self-published, 1949, pp73-78
214
SOURCES
(for the entire Berdyansk chapter)
Bahnman, Marvin, editor and compiler of “Our Heritage: Remembrances of My Life in Russia
1866-1895, from the Diary of Katharina (Wiens) Bahnmann Dyck Regier 1859-1936,
July, 1997, many pages
Berdyansk City Map was used for the picture of the hotel shown in the history of the city.
Someone who has actually stayed in the hotel thinks that it was further inland than
shown on the picture, and wonders if there may have been a computer “modification” of
the photograph
Blake. RLV Ffrench, The Crimean War, Archon Books, Hamden, Connecticut, pp 87, 149
Der Bote
Obituaries:
Wall, Johannes Peter, 31 October 1934, p 3
Refugee Lists: 1 July 1925 p 5; 5 June 1927, p 4
Der Botschafter
Advertising: Deutsches Krankenhaus, 4 January 1914, p 1
Mennonitisches Jahrbuch 1910, 1 January 1912
List of contributors to Bethania Heilanstalt, 24 February 1912, p 5
List of church services: 6 January 1913, p 1
News Items: 30 September 1908, p 2; 6 January 1912, p 2; 9 March 1912, p 3
4 May 1912, p 2
Reports:
Report on the general membership meeting and construction of the Tokmak Railway
14 February 1912, p 2
Report on the Mennonite Elementary School, 15 July 1914, p 3
Report of reactions at the start of World War I, 22 July 1914, p 3
Report of a Mennonite gathering regarding help for the war, 1 August 1914, p 3
Report of the appointment of P Fast, 5 August 1914, p 3
Report of a prayer meeting in the Mennonite church, 10 October 1914, p 4
Christlicher Fam ilienkalendar
Advertising:
Numerous pages in each of the publications, certainly from 1901 to 1914
News Reports:
Calender of Events, 1909, pp 120, 121
Durksen, Martin, Die Krim war unsere Heimat, self-published, Winnipeg, Canada, 1977,
pp 66-68, 111-112, 143-144, 159, 240-242
Epp, George K, “Urban Mennonites in Russia,” a chapter in the book Mennonites in Russia
1788-1988, Essays in Honor of Gerhard Lohrenz, edited by John Friesen, CMBC
Publications, Winnipeg, Canada, 1989, pp 239-259
Familienkalender 1882, Elkhart, Indiana, article by Leonhard Sudermann
Friedensstimme
Advertising:
215
Bible conference of 5-7 October 1908
16 August 1908 pp 517-18; 30 August 1908, pp 449-50; 27 September 1908
p 617
Advertising General Conference of 23-25 August 1911
17 August 1911, p 2
Reports:
Report about Realschule in Berdyansk, 10 June 1906, p 242
Wounding of Minister Abraham Janzen, 4 November 1906, p 490
Report of a court case, 26 January 1911, p 9
Report of the Forstei meeting of 4 May 1911, 18 May 1911, p 4
Tokmak Railway investor meeting, 5 July 1911, p 9
Protocol of the General Conference of 23-25 August 1911, 14 September 1911, pp 1-4
Published sermon from the conference, 24 September 1911, pp 2-5
List of Contributors to Friedensstimme, 12 December 1912, pp 6, 7
Friesen, P M, Die Alt-Evangelische Mennonitische Bruederschaft in Russ/and (1789-1910),
Halbstadt, Taurida, 1911, pp 78, 86, 88, 166, 168, 169, 183, 199, 205, 223, 227, 344,
355, 456, 493, 498, 517, 546, 593, 594, 603, 604, 612, 616, 618-20, 673, 691,696, 706,
707, 708, 765-66
Friesen, Rudy P with Friesen, Edith Elisabeth, Building on the Past, Raduga Publications,
Winnipeg, Manitoba, 2004, pp 680-686
Genealogy of Aron Martens 1754-1977, pp 25, 27
Genealogy of Isaak Schroeder 1738-1973, pp 150, 151
Giesinger, Adam, From Catherine to Khrushchev: The Story of Russia's Germans, self-
published, Winnipeg, Canada, 1974, pp 123-124, 126
Goerz, H, Die Molotschnaer Ansiedlung, Echo-Verlag, Steinbach, Canada, 1950/51, p 163
Goossen Family History, from Harry Giesbrecht, Winnipeg
Great Soviet Encyclopedia, translation of the Third Edition, Macmillan Inc., New York and
Collier Macmillan Publishing, London, 1970, Vol 3, p 179
Harms, Wilmer A, The Odyssey of Escapes from Russia, Hearth Publishing, Hillsboro, Kansas,
1998,p 179, 180
Hiebert, Clarence, Brothers in Deed to Brothers in Need, Faith and Life Press, Newton, Kansas,
1974, pp 13, 46, 68, 159, 170, 200, 243, 293, 294, 302, 321,383
Hofer, D M, Die Hungersnot in Russland und Unsere Reise um die Welt, K M B Publishing
House, Chicago, Illinois, 1924, pp 124-125, 286-287, 347-349
Huebert, Helmut T, Hierschau: An Example of Russian Mennonite Life, Springfield Publishers,
Winnipeg, Manitoba, 1986, p 282
Huebert, Helmut T, Mo/otschna Historical Atlas, Springfield Publishers, Winnipeg, Manitoba,
2003, pp 101-102
Huebert, Helmut T, Mennonite Estates in Imperial Russia, Springfield Publishers, Winnipeg,
Manitoba, 2005, pp 8, 11,28,31,33, 117, 125, 177, 187, 192-196, 224, 236
Jahresbericht des Bevo/lmaechtigten der Mennonitengemeinden in Russland in Sachen der
Unterha/tung der Forstkommandos im Jahre 1908, p 19
Jansen, Peter, Memoirs of Peter Jansen: The Record of a Busy Life, self-published,
216
Beatrice, Nebraska, 1921, many pages
Leibrandt, Georg, “The Emigration of German Mennonites from Russia to the United States and
Canada in 1873-1880,” Mennonite Quarterly Review, Part I, October 1932, pp 209, 210;
Part II, January 1933, p 24
List of Mennonites living outside of the Bergthal Colony in 1852, Odessa State Archives
List of Mennonites living outside of the Chortitza Colony in 1852, Odessa State Archives
List of Mennonite living outside the Molotschna Colony in 1852, Odessa State Archives
Lohrenz, Gerhard, Heritage Remembered: A Pictorial Survey of Mennonites in Prussia and
Russia, CMBC Publications, Winnipeg, Manitoba, 1974, pp 37, 100, 115, 119
Mennonite Encyclopedia, Vol I, p 396;Vol II, p 148-149, p 235; Vol III, pp 91-92, 324, 849;
Vol IV, p 859
Mennonitische Rundschau
Food voucher requests:
31 May 1922, pp 14, 16; 7 June 1922, pp 4, 5
Letters:
From Heinrich Abram Ediger, 30 March 1921, p 12
Looking for inheritance money from death of Nikolai Huebert, 24 June 1925, p 6
Money vouchers:
3 October 1923, p 8
Obituary:
Janzen, Cornelius, 26 December 1894, p 1
Refugee Lists:
19 January 1921, p 3; 16 February 1921, pp 6, 7; 4 March 1925, Beilage, pp 17, 19;
1 July 1925 p 11
Reports:
Reimer, Jacob, 7 February 1900, p 2
Wiebe, Elder Jacob A, 26 June 1912, p 4
Committee to distribute food vouchers, 1 March 1922, p 23
Starvation conditions in Berdyansk, 13 September 1922, p 11
Nikolai Schroeder death by starvation, 17 May 1922, p 11
Report on the condition of Jacob Duerksen, 20 June 1923, p 8
David M Hofer report on his trip, 1 August 1923, pp 8, 9
Looking for relatives of Wilhelm Wilhelm Ewert, 22 August 1923, p 12
Letter of thanks written by Elder Leonhard Sudermann, 14 November 1923, p 7
List of Delegates at the Bundeskonferenz der Mennonitengemeinden Russlands
13-18 January 1925 in Moscow, 1 April 1925, pp 5, 6
Mennonitisches Lexikon, Band I p 248; Band II, p 391
Neufeld, Hermann, Hermann and Katharina Their Story, The Autobiography of Elder
Hermann A and Katharina Neufeld, in Russia and in Canada, Translated and edited
by Abram H Neufeld, Centre for Mennonite Brethren Studies in Canada, 1984, p 65
Palmer, Alan, The Banner of Battle: The Story of the Crimean War, St. Martin’s Press, New
York, New York, 1987, pp 40-41, 194-95, 239
Quiring, Walter and Bartel, Helen, A Is Ihre Zeit Erfuellt War: 150 Jahre Bewaehrung in
217
Russland, published by the authors. Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, 1963, pp 74, 75, 98
Reimer, Gustav E and Gaeddert, G R, Exiled by the Czar: Cornelius Jansen and the Great
Mennonite Migration, 1874, Mennonite Publication Office, Newton, Kansas, 1956,
many pages
Reinlaender Gemeinde Buch 1880-1903, edited by John Dyck and William Harms, Manitoba
Mennonite Historical Society, 1994, pp 440-41,457-58
Russian 1835 Census of the Molotschna Villages, pp 198, 587
Schroeder, William and Huebert, Helmut T, Mennonite Historical Atlas, Second Edition, revised
and expanded, Springfield Publishers, Winnipeg, Canada, 1996, pp 15, 70, 71, 140, 141
Smith, C Henry, The Coming of the Russian Mennonites, Mennonite Book Concern, Berne,
Indiana, 1927, many pages, including 51, 101, 121
Toews, John B, Lost Fatherland, Herald Press, Scottdale, Pennsylvania, 1967, pp 28, 95
Toews, John B, Czars, Soviets & Mennonites, Faith and Life Press, Newton, Kansas, 1982,
pp 39, 123
Unruh, Benjamin Heinrich, Die niederlaendisch-niederdeutschen Hintergruende der
Mennonitischen Ostwanderungen im 16., 18. und 19. Jahrhundert, self-published, 1955,
pp 242, 278, 322
Urry, James, David H Epp: Intellectual, Spiritual, Cultural Leader 1861-1934, a chapter in a
book edited by Harry Loewen, Shepherds, Servants and Prophets, Pandora Press and
Herald Press, 2003, pp 85-102
Westwood, J N, A History of Russian Railways, George Allen and Unwin Ltd, London, 1964,
pp 22-24,61,64
218
MELITOPOL
TABLE OF CONTENTS
T able of Contents.219
History of Melitopol.220
Map of Melitopol about 1900.224
Map of Melitopol “Rayon” (1972).225
Map of Melitopol Region (2000).226
Map of Melitopol City (2000).227
Pictures of Melitopol.228
List of People.231
Pictures of People.242
Mennonite Institutions.244
Picture of Mennonite Church.247
Mennonite Events.248
Picture of All-Ukrainian General Conference, 1926.250
Mennonite Businesses.251
Pictures of Business Establishments.252
Sources.255
HISTORY OF MELITOPOL
Melitopol is a city located on the west bank of the Molochnaya River. It is 100 km south of
Zaporozhye, about 40 km northwest of the Sea of Azov and 10 km southwest of what used to be the
Molotschna Mennonite Colony. It is the capital of the Melitopol region, part of the Zaporozhye
Province.
A frontier settlement was established on the site in 1784. The first known map of the
Molotschna Mennonite Colony was drawn by a travelling businessman in 1806; the map includes
an area labelled “Mulberry Plantation but a city to be built.” This was likely the village which in
1816 was named Novoaleksandrovskaya Sloboda. In 1841 the town was
renamed Melitopol and officially became a city. The Doukhobors had
settled on much of the land in the surrounding area. In the early 1840s
they were given the choice to recant or to be exiled to the Caucasus
region; almost all chose to leave. Presumably the land around Melitopol
would then be available for others to settle and found villages.
From 1841 to 1923 Melitopol was the county centre of this area
of Taurida; after that date it was still a centre, but for the province
(gubernia) of Zaporozhye.
Melitopol became a trade centre for the region, serving the
western villages of the Molotschna, Prischib and Eichenfeld colonies. A
considerable number of Mennonite estates were established in the area,
and they used the various institutions available in the city, such as banks
and hospitals. Estate owner H Wiens, for example, withdrew a substantial amount of money from
the Azov-Don-Bank on October 31, 1907. When robbers attempted to attack him, a student, H
Friesen, was wounded and was taken to the City Hospital. The extensive Taschtschenak estates were
about 18 verst north-northwest of the city, Alt-Taschtschenak an equal distance south-southwest.
Melitopol was also the seat of the regional court. In 1904 the murderers of Pastor Baumann of
Prischib, his wife and his daughter were tried, found guilty and sentenced at the Melitopol Regional
Court. The Alexandrovsk (later Zaporozhye) to Sevastopol railway line ran through Melitopol. This
likely helped the economic development of the city.
Mennonite families may have settled in Melitopol as early as 1845; by 1852 Isaak Enns
operated an oil press in the city. Other tradespeople and industrialists moved in over the years, such
as Jakob and Wilhelm Klassen, who came from Neu-Halbstadt in 1886 to establish an agricultural
machinery factory. Melitopol was also the home of a Realschule attended by Mennonite students,
perhaps as early as the 1870s. There was at least one Mennonite teacher, Johann Fast, in 1906. The
Forstei Taxation list of 1908-10 showed that Mennonite property in the city was valued at about
15,454,520 rubles; Mennonite property in the region (land value only) was 20,480,306 rubles. On
the 1908 list the Klassen agricultural machinery factory and foundry was valued at 65,000 rubles,
the Abraham Klassen steam-powered flour mill at 20,000 rubles, and the Jakob Warkentin steam-
powered mill and oil press at 10,500 rubles. It was said that there were about 25 Mennonite families
living in Melitopol in 1902. Some time before 1914 a Mennonite Fortbildungsschule was founded
in Melitopol. Mennonite estate owners participated in local county governance (zemstvo) in both
Melitopol Crest
in 1845
220
the Berdyansk and Melitopol regions, but there is no record of Mennonites having been actively
involved in the Melitopol city government.
While not definitely proving Mennonite patronage, advertising in Mennonite publications
by various Melitopol business establishments would indicate some interest. The Christlicher
Familienkalender produced by Abram Kroeker carried many pages of advertising. There was a
considerable number of agents in Melitopol for a wide variety of products and services. Examples
would be: cars (Adam Benke, “Komnick” automobile), fabric and clothes (Provodnick, Russian and
French fabrics), furniture and mirrors (S G Schlep), engines (J D Safermann), industrial builders
(Anton Erlanger and Co., who built steam flour mills). A number of dentists also advertized
(Berschatzky, Katzin, Spindler), all of them mentioning that they produced false teeth. Other
medical services were also available, such as R Gamier, an ophthalmologist. G Lifschik was a
printer and book publisher, J S Gammal a photographer. Remarkably the Mennonites of Melitopol
seldom used their own publications to advertise; only one instance could be found in the Christlicher
Familienkalender from 1901-1915, where H H Hamm of Halbstadt and Lichtenau declared himself
as agent for Brothers Klassen of Melitopol, for the sale of threshing machines.
A Mennonite congregation was eventually organized, probably by 1910. In 1913
construction was begun on a beautiful church building with a tall bell tower. It was the first
Mennonite church in Russia to obtain official government approval for such a tower. The building
was dedicated on 20 April 1914. At that time the population of the city was 22,000.
With the outbreak of World War I at least six Mennonites volunteered for the Medical Corps
on the first day. About a month later members of the Mennonite congregation established a
Mennonite Field Hospital, with Dr D Hildebrand the medical director. It was officially dedicated
on 12 October 1914.
During the period of anarchy after the Russian Revolution a number of estate owners moved
into Melitopol, presumably because they thought it was safer. Unfortunately a number of
Mennonites were murdered by Makhno bandits in the city in the spring of 1919. Some of the battles
of the prolonged and confusing Civil War were fought in the area. On 18 June 1918 the Ukrainian
National Republic army defeated the Red Army near Melitopol. After the collapse of attempts to
form an independent Ukraine, the region was for a considerable time occupied by the White forces.
In the spring of 1920 the White Army, under the command of General Peter Wrangel, began a new
offensive which started in the Crimea, by June reaching Melitopol and the Molotschna. On June 20
a battle was fought in the Molotschna region, in which the Red Army was routed. Meanwhile
General Wrangel and his staff, with headquarters in Melitopol, anxiously awaited news from the
battlefield. Finally the news came: “The enemy has been struck on the head, encircled by our
warriors. General Tkachev reports a complete destruction of the enemy.’’ The following day, on
June 21, a church service was held in Melitopol, thanking God for the victory. Eventually, however,
the Red Army did drive the White forces back into the Crimea, and eventually the whole area came
under Communist rule.
In 1922, during the time of famine in southern Russia, a number of Mennonites from
Melitopol requested food drafts from friends and relatives in North America, mostly from the United
States, using the pages of the Mennonitische Rundschau. There were eleven specific pleas for help.
The famine must have been fairly devastating, although no deaths are mentioned.
The last general conference ( Bundeskonferenz ) held by Mennonites in Russia was held in
221
Melitopol 5-9 October 1926. There were 83 delegates from the various Mennonite churches in
Ukraine, with 14 guests from other parts of Russia. Unfortunately, two government officials also
monitored the proceedings. The general emphasis at the conference was that it would be necessary
for all branches of Mennonites to cooperate if they wished to survive. Jakob Rempel of Gruenfeld
chaired the proceedings, while P Penner of Lichtfelde delivered the keynote address.
A number of institutions were founded in Melitopol during the Communist era. The
Melitopol Pedagogical Institute (later University) was begun in 1922. The Melitopol Institute of
Agricultural Mechanization was founded in 1930. A regional museum was also started.
During the period of collectivization in the early 1930s, a number of Mennonites who had
been expelled from their land in the Molotschna moved to Melitopol, it being the closest large city.
The Johann Giesbrecht family, for example, walked from Lichtenau to Melitopol in 1931. They
lived in a small Mennonite enclave in Melitopol called Krasnaya Gorka (Red Hill). They moved
on to Kamenka in 1932. Komelius Peter Bergmann and wife Ida moved to Melitopol in 1930. He
occasionally preached and distributed tracts. He was imprisoned in Melitopol in 1936, then banished
to Siberia in 1937.
During the Great Purge, the jail in Melitopol often seemed to be teeming with Mennonites.
Specific mention of imprisonment in 1937 was made in the stories of Peter Jakob Toews, Gerhard
Komelius Plett, Heinrich Huebert, Peter Komelius Peters and Nicolai Rempel.
After the invasion of Russia 22 June 1941, the German army advance was very rapid. By
October 6 Melitopol was occupied. There seemed to be a defeatist attitude in the Red Army, with
100,000 soldiers being captured in the Melitopol-Berdyansk area. The Reichskommissariat Ukraine
(German-occupied Ukraine) was divided into six districts. The Crimea District, under Gauleiter
Alfred Frauenfeld, had headquarters in Melitopol. Although he was a convinced Nazi, Frauenfeld
called for reform of German policies, which included land reform, food relief and political autonomy
for the local population. Despite these calls for improvement, the Nazis targeted dismantling of
education as a priority, likely to destroy Ukrainian culture. All grades above the fourth grade were
abolished. In the summer of 1942 even the fourth grade was canceled in Melitopol. The children had
to help tear down buildings so the materials could be sent to Germany. The tides of war changed,
however, and in September/October of 1943 the region was re-occupied by the Soviet forces, and
remained under Communist control.
The steppes surrounding Melitopol grew vegetables, grapes and other fruit. The city
functioned as a regional manufacturing centre, with automobile engines, tractor parts, refrigerators,
food products and consumer goods coming off the assembly lines. The agricultural machinery
factory begun by the Klassen brothers in 1886 was converted to produce equipment for mills and
elevators in 1926, then was retooled in 1947 to make equipment for the food processing industry.
With the breakdown of the USSR further changes followed. In 1998 the factory was reorganized to
an open-stock company called “Melitopolprodmarsh,” which is still in operation.
In the northwestern part of the city is the Melitopol Kurhan, a royal burial mound of the
Sythians, dating from the fourth century BC. In was excavated in 1954; two catacomb-like tombs
were discovered, one of them containing 4,000 gold ornaments and a funerary chariot.
South of Melitopol are swampy wetlands of the lower Molochnaya River. In 1995 a
preliminary inventory of all wetlands in Ukraine was undertaken. On 5 June 2002 a “World
Wetlands Day” was celebrated in Melitopol, with the Melitopol State Pedagogical University
222
scientific research playing a prominent role.
On 6 May 2004, as a result of careless smoking on the site, a huge fire, with subsequent
explosions, was started in a large munitions depot about 20 km north of Melitopol. The depot
contained 90,000 tons of artillery shells, including rockets of various types. Fires and explosions
continued for several days, with some of the rockets flying a distance of 10-40 km. To prevent the
loss of life 7,000 people were evacuated from 11 settlements, including the two closest villages,
Novobogdanovka and Spasskoye. Flames shot up to 300 metres into the air, and could be seen for
90 km around. Two thousand workers stood by, but for a time could do nothing to prevent further
destruction. Two stories circulated about the gas supply to Melitopol. One report says that gas and
telephone connections were turned off as a safety precaution, yet a spokesman for the state gas
company said a Grad heat-seeking missile had hit a natural-gas pipeline in the area, cutting off all
gas supplies to the city. Remarkably it was claimed that only five people died as a result of this
catastrophe, one soldier from wounds, and four others from “cardiovascular attacks.”
The first few explosions could be heard from as far away as Molochansk, 28 kilometres
away. Some plaster fell out of the cracks in an apartment block in that city. The Mennonite Centre
in Molochansk cooperated with the Mennonite Central Committee based in Zaporozhye and gave
financial aid ($1,500 USD) for immediate repair of property damage. A1 Fliebert, director of the
Mennonite Centre at the time, commented that the government with the army acted quickly and
repaired property damage promptly.
To celebrate the bicentenary of the establishment of the Molotschna Mennonite Colony in
1804 a special academic conference was planned to be held in Melitopol 2-5 June 2004. Because
the major hotels were filled with specialists dealing with the aftermath of the munitions depot fire,
the venue of most of the sessions had to be moved to the Intourist Hotel in Zaporozhye. One day,
June 4, two busloads of participants met at the Melitopol State Pedagogical University.
The current population of Melitopol is 175,000. The city continues to be the regional centre
for educational and scientific endeavors; it is also known for its light industry and food processing
capacity.
223
o
Klassen Factory
(Kizijar Village)
224
HTH/2005
Starobogdanovka }
Matveyevka
Novobogdanovka
Troitskoyei
.. Spasskoye
TerpenyeJ
• Semenovka^
r Lyubimovka
, Svetlodolinskoyc
(Lichtcnau)
Kuroshan
Kamcnskoye
' y^dPrilukovka Former V\ Otradnoyy
/ jf ...-""" Mo 1 otschna
j ) IjATravncvoyc Privolnoyc__ ^j ^Yasnoyc
Gcrcgovoyc
Shirokiy LariiV
Promin
ntri ■
Astrakhanka
Tikhonovka
5 Voznesenka
/ .A Alt-Tascht-^y
schenak ^
Estates «
Konstantinovka VV,
'if
Priazovskoye
Mordvinovka
MELITOPOL REGION
ZAPOROZHYE PROVINCE
Based on a modem map (2000)
- Railway
.. High way/Road
226
227
Marinsky Prospect from Voronovsky Street
Zhensky Gymnasium (Secondary School) on Boulevard Street
228
Melitopol about 1900
Alexandrovsk Street
Marinsky Prospect Cathedral
229
Street in Melitopol in 1918
Folk singer on a street in Melitopol
230
LIST OF PEOPLE
(People who at one time lived in Melitopol)
(Each name will appear in bold print only once)
According to Heinrich J Thiessen 25 Mennonite families lived in Melitopol in 1902. For
this list we have identified at least 198 individuals having spent some time in Melitopol. It is at
times difficult to tell if the people actually lived in the city Melitopol, or if they lived on an estate
in the region, since the terms were often used rather loosely.
Bergen, Bernhard
In 1922 applied for food drafts for 5 people through the Mennonitische Rundschau
Presumably wife and 3 children
Address: MeschevayaNo 17
Request directed to Dietrich Heinrich Enns of Kansas (formerly Molotschna)
Boldt, Heinrich
Wife Mrs Boldt
Celebrated their silver wedding anniversary in Melitopol 13 November 1902
Boldt, Johann
Wife Anna Rempel
In 1922 applied for food drafts for 17 people through the Mennonitische Rundschau
Presume request is either for extended family or an institution
Address: Meschevaya
Request directed to uncle of wife Anna, Heinrich Teichrieb of Los Angeles, California
(formerly Pordenau, Taurida)
Bonnellis, J
Volunteered for Sanitaetsdienst on the first day of World War I
Daniels, Gerhard Peter
In 1922 applied for food drafts for 4 people through the Mennonitische Rundschau
Presumably wife and 2 children
Address: Voksalraya No 510
Request directed to Jakob Johann Dueck, California (formerly Muensterberg, Taurida)
Doerksen, David David
In 1922 applied for food drafts for 3 people through the Mennonitische Rundschau
Presumably wife and 1 child
Address: Fedorovskaya No 589
Request directed to Gerhard Peter Neufeld, New York (formerly Blumstein, Taurida)
Doerksen, Jakob David
In 1922 applied for food drafts for 7 people through the Mennonitische Rundschau
Presumably wife and 5 children
Address: Fedorovskaya No 606
Request directed to Gerhard Peter Neufeld, New York (formerly Blumstein, Taurida)
Dueck, Johann Johann
Bom about 1823
231
Wife Margaretha - born about 1825
Children:
Johann - born about 1850
Jakob - bom about 1852
Moved from Muensterberg, Molotschna to Melitopol by 1852
Oil press operator in Melitopol
Duerksen, Johann (Hans)
Bom 6 April 1902
Parents Johann Duerksen and Katharina Heinrichs
Johann was the fourth of 13 children (of which only 6 reached adulthood)
Student in Lehrerseminar at the University of Simferopol in 1924
Became a teacher in Crimea
Married Anna Neufeld 6 April 1927 in Menlertschik
They had 2 children
Not a church member, was a government employee, so he could not immigrate when his
parents left in 1929, arriving in Paraguay in 1930
He was imprisoned in Melitopol during the “Great Purge”
Sentenced to death on 23 November 1937, and likely executed the same day, in Melitopol
Relatives received a letter dated 12 June 1959 that he was “Rehabilitated.” His conviction had
been based on unsubstantiated evidence
Ediger, Salomon Salomon
Bom 14 November 1876 in Gnadenfeld, Molotschna
Parents Salomon Ediger and Susanna Mierau
Attended school in Gnadenfeld, then taught elementary school there for several years
Studied theology at the Predigerschule in Basel
For many years taught religion and German at the Ohrloff Zentralschule, succeeding
Komelius B Unruh
Preached a very powerful sermon at the Allgemeiner Mennonitischer Kongress held in
Ohrloff 14-18 August 1917
Married the daughter of Missionary Heinrich Dirks, they had some children, she died in 1924
With Communist takeover teaching of religion was prohibited, so he gave up his ministerial
status, and taught only German and some other subjects
Unable, because of his faith, to join the atheistic league, so he lost his position
To support his family he accepted position as instructor in the culture of silk
In 1934 arrested, sentenced to 5 years in exile
Returned to Melitopol in 1939 in broken health, and died 16 November 1940
With Gemian advance toward Melitopol in August 1941 his children were sent into exile
Enns, Isaak
Bom about 1794
Wife Susanna - bom about 1808
Children:
Jakob - bom about 1832
Susanna (foster daughter) - bom about 1829
232
Operated an oil mill by 1852
Moved from Tiege, Molotschna, to Melitopol in 1845
Enns, Johann Gerhard Family
Johann Gerhard Enns established Ebenhof (Enns) estate about 1882
1,293 dessiatines, raised sheep and grew grain; Johann died 1915; assets confiscated
In 1917 the family, wife and at least 2 children, left the estate and moved to Melitopol, where
they had some property
Enns, J K
Owned a mail-order business
Esau, Cornelius
Bom 2 October 1862 in Halbstadt, Molotschna
Parents Jakob and Katharina Esau
Married Maria Hamm 10 January 1888
Children:
Helena - bom 24 October 1888 in Ekaterinoslav
Victor - bom 10 October 1890 in Ekaterinoslav
Cornelius - bom 2 October 1893 in Melitopol, died 18 July 1916 in the war
Wilhelm - bom 5 September 1896 in Melitopol, married Katharina Friesen,
4 October 1932 in Winnipeg, at least 1 child, Wilhelm died 6 November 1965
The family lived in Melitopol at least when the last 2 children were bom
Father Cornelius died 8 January 1920 in Rosenthal of typhus
At least some of the family immigrated to Canada
Fast, Johann
Wife Mrs Fast
Johann was a teacher of the Realschule in Melitopol in 1906
“Father Jakob”
Religion teacher at the Mennonite Forbildungsschule in Melitopol in 1914
Participated in the dedication of the Mennonite Field Hospital 12 October 1914
Friesen, Julius Julius
Bom about 1806
Wife Katharina - bom about 1813
Children:
Julius - bom about 1828
Maria - bom about 1837
Dirk - bom about 1839
Katharina - bom about 1840
Peter - bom about 1842
Bernhard - bom about 1845
Susanna - bom about 1847
Moved from Muensterberg, Molotschna, to Melitopol in 1846
Operated a treadmill in 1852
Friesen, Lilli
Bom 25 August 1914
233
Lived in Melitopol 1942
Daughter Luise - bom 7 November 1942 in Melitopol
Friesen, Peter Julius
Bom about 1820
Wife Anna - bom about 1820
Children:
Peter - bom about 1846
Anna - bom about 1848
Moved from Muensterberg, Molotschna, to Melitopol in 1846, was oil press operator
Friesen, Peter Peter
Bom about 1799
Wife Gertrude - bom about 1800
Daughter Katharina - bom about 1840
Immigrated to Canada in 1924, to Acme, Alberta
Giesbrecht, Anna
Bom about 1888; lived in Lichtenau, Molotschna
Husband Johann Giesbrecht was taken and sent to the far north or Siberia in 1931
Several months later Anna and her children were told to leave their home by the next day,
taking 1 cow and what they could carry
Anna and her 6 children walked from Lichtenau to Melitopol
The children were: Anna (1910), Louise (1914), Viktor (1921), Heinrich (Andre)( 1924)
Elfrieda (1926), Harry (1 October 1928)
There was a small Mennonite settlement in Melitopol called Krasnaya Gorka (Red Hill)
where they stayed for a month or so. With the help of a Jewish family they were able
to find a house to live in
Daughter Anna worked as an executive in a co-operative office, Louise was a clerk in a shop
After about a year, in 1932, they moved to Kamenka, then Nikopol
Hildebrand, Dr D
On 16 September 1914 the Melitopol Mennonite congregation decided to found a Mennonite
field hospital to help in the war effort
Dr D Hildebrand agreed to head the hospital without any reimbursement whatever
Hildebrand, N H
Student at the Melitopol Realschnle, likely in the late 1870s
Hooge, Peter
Wife Maria
4 children, at least 3 of which were boys
Huebert, Heinrich Johann
Bom 6 March 1883 in Blumstein, Molotschna
Wife Elisabeth Janzen; two sons; they lived in Muensterberg
Heinrich arrested and jailed in Melitopol in 1930; exiled to Kotlas; released in 1933
Rearrested and sent into exile 5 August 1937; said to have died 18 May 1940
Huebert, Miss
Assistant Head Nurse at the Mennonite Field Hospital in 1914
234
Janz, Bejamin Benjamin(B B)
Bom 25 September 1877 in Konteniusfeld, Molotschna
Parents Benjamin Janz and Helene Penner
Local Dorfschule, Gnadenfeld Zentralschule
Was one of a group of Mennonite young men who received special tutoring in Melitopol to
help pass teaching examinations
Taught school in Tiege
Was one of those opposed to the Selbstschutz
He was one of the principal leaders in organizing the migration of about 22,500 Mennonites to
Canada in the 1920s
Himself migrated to Canada just ahead of potential arrest, in June of 1926
He settled in Coaldale, Alberta, but continued to actively work for the welfare of Mennonites,
including the founding of educational institutions and negotiating for alternate service
during World War II
He died 14 October 1964
Janzen, Gerhard
Volunteered for Sanitaetsdienst on the first day of World War I
Janzen, Heinrich Heinrich
Bom 1869
Parents Heinrich Johann Janzen and Maria Dirks
Married Susanna Friesen, daughter of P M Friesen
He was a teacher in the Deaf Mute School in Tiege
Died 1940 in Melitopol
Janzen, Jakob
Minister of the Melitopol congregation
Anonymous donor gave 1000 rubles to the Bethania Heilanstalt through Janzen in October
1911
Delivered a Russian sermon at the dedication of the Mennonite Field Hospital on 12 October
1914
Klassen, A
Volunteered for Sanitaetsdienst on the first day of World War I
Klassen, Miss A
Honorary nurse at the Mennonite Field Hospital in 1914
Klassen, Abraham
Co-owner with J Neufeld of a steam-powered flour mill
Probably had a new automatic flour mill constructed in 1913, capacity 5,000 pud daily
Klassen, Anna
Bom 10 December 1914 in Melitopol
Married a Mr Martens
Klassen, Jakob J
Bom 20 June 1867
Brother of Wilhelm J Klassen
Originally from Neu-Halbstadt, then moved to Melitopol
235
Co-owner with Wilhelm J Klassen of a factory producing agricultural machinery and
equipment, established in 1886
Factory became known as Klassen & Co. Fabrik landwirtschaftlicher Maschinen imd Geraete.
Married Maria Schroeder on 22 October 1892
Maria was bom 27 July 1864
Children: (all bom in Melitopol)
Jakob - bom 17 August 1893
Was a driver for the Medical Corps during World War I
David - bom 16 October 1895
Was a driver for the Medical Corps during World War I
Married Katusla Neufeld in 1923, immigrated to Brazil with family in 1930
Peter - bom 28 October 1897
Nikolai - bom 6 December 1899
Maria - bom 3 March 1902
Anna - bom 9 December 1903
Mother Maria died 19 December 1903 of complications following the birth of her last child
Jakob married again, Marie Sudermann
Children: (not absolutely certain of all the names; all bom in Melitopol)
Helene (died as infant?)
Barbara - bom 2 January 1908
Katharina - bom 6 September 1910
Also probably Leonard, Vanja, Klara, Katharina and Wilhelm
About 1900 Jakob Jakob Klassen was mentioned as being among the most rich and influential
merchants in Melitopol
Jakob was a member of the Council of the Society for the protection of wild animals
The factory was listed in the 1908 Forstei Taxation list as belonging to the Brothers Klassen
Jakob went to the train station 19 February 1916 to pick up two sons, Peter and Nikolai,
when he suddenly fell, and died of a heart attack; he apparently had a long-standing
heart condition. Funeral and burial were 24 February 1916
Klassen, Johann
Moved from Melitopol to Sazarovka, Kharkov Province, before 1903
Klassen, Maria (nee Sudermann)
hi 1922 applied for food drafts for 11 people through the Mennonitische Rundschau
Presumably a widow with 10 children
Address: Fedorovskaya No 593
Request directed to her Uncle Hermann Sudermann of Harvey County, Newton, Kansas
Klassen, Wilhelm J
Brother of Jakob J Klassen
Likely studied in the Institute of Mining in Ekaterinoslav, trained as engineer
Originally from Neu-Halbstadt, then moved to Melitopol
Co-owner with Jakob J Klassen of a factory producing agricultural machinery and
equipment, established in 1886
Not certain, but probably his wife was Elisabeth Esau, sister of mayor Johann Esau of
236
Ekaterinoslav and Jakob Esau the ophthalmologist
As a representative of the Melitopol Mennonite Church, he was at a meeting of Mennonite
Churches of Russia on 5-6 May 1910, to discuss the forestry alternative service
( Forsteidienst )
His wife’s relatives, Nikolai, Gerhard and Heinrich Rempel stayed in their home when they
were studying in Melitopol
October of 1916 the Klassen factory was making a lot of machine guns, mines and shrapnel
In 1919 estate owners Nikolai and Katharina Rempel, likely relatives, moved into their
Nebengebauede when they were expelled from their estate; they stayed there until they
moved to Ohrloff in 1921
Wilhelm died June 1919
Kroeker, Dietrich Peter (see also Millerovo, page 279)
In 1922 applied for food drafts for 5 people through the Mennonitische Rundschau
Wife Katharina, and children Dietrich, Alexander and Katharina
Address: Fedorovskaya No 609, Melitopol
Request directed to cousin Dietrich Jakob Kroeker formerly of Chortitza and uncle Jakob
Johann Nickel formerly of Millerovo
Kroeker, Peter Peter
In 1922 applied for food drafts for 6 people through the Mennonitische Rundschau
Presumably wife and 4 children
Address: Torgovaya No 623
Request directed to cousin Johann Johann Kroeker (formerly Millerovo), cousin Dietrich
Jakob Kroeker, Canada (formerly Spat, Crimea) and Jakob Jakob Merk, California
(formerly Melitopol)
Martens, Wilhelm J
Bom 21 November 1885
Married Gertrude Rempel 12 August 1909
She was the daughter of Isbrand Peter Rempel and Anna Sudermann
4 children, probably bom on an estate in Taschtschenak
Wilhelm died 22 May 1922
He had to transport soldiers, and was found shot in Melitopol
Wife with 4 children immigrated to Drake, Saskatchewan in 1924
Merk, Jakob Jakob
Immigrated to California, USA sometime before 1922
Neufeld, Johann
Co-owner with A Klassen of a steam-powered flour mill
As a representative of the Melitopol Mennonite Church, he was at a meeting of Mennonite
Churches of Russia on 5-6 May 1910, to discuss the forestry alternative service
( Forsteidienst )
Probably had a new automatic flour mill constructed in 1913, capacity 5,000 pud per day
Considered to be very influential
Often visited Mennonite churches during his business travels in Europe and probably played
a part in designing the church building in Melitopol (completed in 1914)
237
Neufeld, Johann
Wife Olga Cornies
Owner of estate Akumtasch near Melitopol, which he founded in 1912
Abandoned the estate in 1919 after repeated robberies, and moved to Melitopol
Pauls, Heinrich J
Age 20. Immigrated to Canada in May of 1926, settling in Speers, Saskatchewan
Penner, Adelbert
On 16 September 1914 the Melitopol Mennonite congregation decided to found a Mennonite
field hospital to help in the war effort
Adelbert Penner allowed the use of his newly remodeled two story house free of charge
Private donations provided 15 beds and furniture; the ladies of the church supplied the linens
Peters, Peter Kornelius
From Paulsheim, then fled to Franztal; arrested in 1933, to Halbstadt, then jail in Melitopol
Fever from infection, then exiled to Murmansk, released, but then rearrested in 1937
Exiled to Novosibirsk; died of starvation 4 March 1938
Plett, Gerhard Kornelius
Minister of the Landskrone Mennonite Church, married Elisabeth Kroeker, lived in Hierschau
Arrested and jailed in Melitopol in August 1931. Tortured. Released after 5 year exile
Rearrested 20 October 1937 and sent into exile
Rempel, Georg Nikolai
One of 3 sons of Nikolai Isbrand Rempel and Katharina Martens who studied in Melitopol
Parents owned part of the Estate Helena-Michailovka, which was situated near Melitopol
Georg was bom 15 September 1895 on the estate
Realschule in Melitopol 1907-1913?, also attended Kommerzschule, possibly also in Melitopol
While studying in Melitopol he and his brothers stayed at the Wilhelm Klassen home; they
were his wife’s relatives
1914-1918 was a driver/chauffeur for the Medical Corps stationed in Kamenets-Podolsk
October 1920 conscripted into the White Army as driver
Evacuated with General Wrangel’s forces to Constantinople
April 1921 travelled to Athens, Venice, Frankfurt, Berlin, to Danzig, where their father had
money and a business partnership
1923 immigrated to Saskatchewan, Canada; died 17 September 1979 in Welland, Ontario
Rempel, Heinrich Nikolai
One of 3 sons of Nikolai Isbrand Rempel and Katharina Martens
Parents owned part of the Estate Helena-Michailovka, which was situated near Melitopol
Heinrich was bom 14 September 1900 on the estate
Realschule in Melitopol 1912 - 1916, thereafter Kommerzschule, likely in Melitopol 1916-1918
While studying in Melitopol he and his brothers stayed at the Wilhelm Klassen home; they
were relatives of his wife
October 1920 conscripted into the White Army as driver
Evacuated with General Wrangel’s forces to Constantinople
April 1921 travelled to Athens, Venice, Frankfurt, Berlin, to Danzig, where their father had
money and a business partnership
238
1923 immigrated to Saskatchewan, Canada, died 8 November 1975 in Fort Erie, Ontario
Rempel, Johann Heinrich
In 1922 applied for food drafts for 3 people through the Mennonitische Rundschau
Presumably wife and 1 child
Address: Torgovaya No 621
Request directed to Jakob Jakob Merk, California (formerly from Melitopol, Taurida)
Rempel, Nicolai
Bom 1891 on an estate in Ekaterinoslav, married Katharina Neufeld, lived in Friedensdorf
Arrested several times, jailed in Melitopol; worked as carpenter
Something went wrong with construction; arrested, jailed in Waldheim, exiled
Rempel, Nikolai Isbrand
Bom 18 January 1867 in Berdyansk
Parents Isbrand Peter Rempel and Susanna Wiens
Married Katharina Johanna Martens 6 February 1892, likely on Estate Helena-Michailovka
She was bom 25 November 1872 in Halbstadt, Molotschna
Her parents were Johann Johann Martens and Katharina Esau
Katharina inherited part of Estate Helena-Michailovka (300 dess), which was near Melitopol
They first lived in Schoenwiese, then moved onto the estate by 1895
Nikolai also was involved in business, having some money and business partners in Danzig
Children:
Nikolai - bom 3 February 1893 in Schoenwiese (see separate listing)
Olga - bom 17 August 1894 on Estate Helena-Michailovka, schooled by private
tutors on the estate, Maedchenschule in Ohrloff, sewing school in Ekaterinoslav,
moved with family, to Canada in 1924, died 9 June 1981 in St Catherines
Georg - bom 15 September 1895 on Estate Helena-Michailovka (see separate listing)
Vera - died young, likely on the estate
Johann - likely bom on the estate, died young
Heinrich - bom 14 September 1900 on Estate Helena-Michailovka (see separate listing)
Vera - bom 6 April 1903 on Estate Helena-Michailovka , schooling in Taschtschenak
with a teacher Peters, schooling interrupted by Civil War, moved with family,
to Canada in 1924, stayed single, died 20 November 1963 in Toronto, Canada
Sons Nikolai, Georg and Heinrich went to school in Melitopol, staying with a relative,
Wilhelm J Klassen
1917 Nikolai, wife Katharina and the 2 daughters, Olga and Vera, were evicted from their
estate, moved to Akimovka, south of Melitopol
1919 moved to Melitopol, staying with the Wilhelm J Klassens (in a Nebengebeude )
1921 moved to Ohrloff, Molotschna
1922-23 Nikolai managed the MCC kitchen in Ohrloff
1924 family immigrated to Canada, first to Drake, Saskatchewan
Katharina died in Drake, Saskatchewan, 10 September 1928
Father Nikolai died 8 June 1941 in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
Rempel, Nikolai Nikolai
One of 3 sons of Nikolai Isbrand Rempel and Katharina Martens
239
Parents owned part of the Estate Helena-Michailovka, which was situated near Melitopol
Nikolai was born 3 February 1893 in Schoenwiese. His parents must have moved onto the
estate sometime before 1895
Realschule in Melitopol 1905-1911; attended Kommerzschule, possibly in Melitopol as well
While studying in Melitopol he and his brothers stayed at the Wilhelm J Klassen home; they
were relatives of his wife
1914-1918 was a chauffeur for the Medical Corps, stationed in the Crimea, mostly Yalta
October 1920 conscripted into the White Army as driver
April 1921 travelled to Athens, Venice, Frankfurt, Berlin, to Danzig, where their father had
money and a business partnership
1923 immigrated to Saskatchewan, Canada
Died 16 February 1969 in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
Schroeder, Heinrich Peter
In 1922 applied for food drafts for 5 people through the Mennonitische Rundschau
Presumably wife and 3 children
Address: Torgovaya No 637
Request directed to Heinrich Peter Goertz of Mountain Lake, Minnesota
Again requested food drafts for 5 people Mennonitische Rundschau
This time request directed to Widow Peter Abraham Dick of Los Angeles, California
Sudermann, Widow Bernhard
Lived in Melitopol in 1902
Sudermann, J
Medical student assigned to help Dr D Hildebrand in the management of the Mennonite Field
Hospital in 1914
Sudermann, Jakob Johann
Bom 11 September 1876 in Alexanderthal, Molotschna
Parents Minister Johann Sudermann and Aganetha Riediger
Attended local Dorfschule , Gnadenfeld Zentralschule
Took private tutoring in Melitopol, together with some other Mennonite young men, to help
him pass the examinations to become teachers
Taught in Neu Samara, Davlekanovo; became minister; exiled; survived exile, but was ill
and likely died
Sudermann, Peter
Student in a technical school in Berdyansk in 1941
Fled from Berdyansk to Melitopol, hoping to be in German occupied territory sooner by
fleeing westward. The German advance stalled before it reached Melitopol, so Peter hid
in the city for a week or two in the middle of September 1941
Went back to Berdyansk. Eventually the German advance reached even there.
Teske, Miss M
Head Nurse at the Mennonite Field Hospital in 1914
Originally from the Ohrloff-Tiege Hospital
Thiessen, Heinrich
Lived in Melitopol in 1902
240
Thomsen, Heinrich Gerhard
In 1922 applied for food drafts for 6 people through the Mennonitische Rundschau
Presumably had wife and 4 children
Address: Meschvaya Haus Isayev No 3
Request directed to brother-in-law Jakob Philipp Wiebe, North America ( formerly Kuban)
and nephews and nieces Abram Bekker and siblings of Goessel, Kansas
Toews, Peter Jakob
Bom 27 January 1897 in Ohrloff, Molotschna, married Elisabeth Janzen of Ohrloff
Minister and choir conductor; 1932 arrested, 3 years hard labour near the White Sea
Released 1937, lived and worked in Melitopol, rearrested and exiled December 1937
Voth, Peter Andreas
In 1922 applied for food drafts for 5 people through the Mennonitische Rundschau
Presumably wife and 3 children
Address: Fedorovskaya No 593
Request directed to cousin Abraham Jakob Voth, North America (formerly Waldheim, Taurida)
and cousin Johann Dueck, New York (fonnerly steam mill owner in Pastwa, Taurida)
Wall, Johann Jakob
Immigrated to Canada, landing on 24 October 1925
Wallmann, Mr
Wife Mrs Wallmann
Daughter Maria bom 17 May 1917
Wallmann, Peter
Volunteered for Sanitaetsdienst on the first day of World War I
Warkentin, Jakob
Lived in Melitopol in 1902
Owner of a steam-powered flour mill and oil press in 1908
Warkentin, Jakob (Jr)
Volunteered for Sanitaetsdienst on the first day of World War I
Warkentin, J J
Wife Helena Graewe
At one time lived in Melitopol, then immigrated to Hillsboro, Kansas
Wiens, Nikolai Johann
Wife Margaretha Janzen
Daughter Katharina, daughter Anna, niece Maria Guenther
Nikolai and Margaretha Wiens of Berdyansk brought their daughter Katharina to Melitopol
to see Dr Renius because of problems with her eyes in August of 1867. They left
Berdyansk 8 AM, arriving in Melitopol at 5:30 PM. Stayed in the Golden Anchor Hotel
overnight, then took up lodging in a private house across the street from the doctor’s
office. Eyes improved; returned home in about 2 months. Back again February 1868,
staying in the home of Dr Renius for some months. Sister Anna and cousin Maria
Guenther stayed with Katharina.
Willms, David
Volunteered for Sanitaetsdienst on the first day of World War 1
241
Brothers Klassen
Factory owners
Johann Fast and his wife. Johann was
teacher in the Realschule in 1906
Dr Viktor Klets of Dnepropetrovsk
speaking at the “Molochna 2004”
conference
Maria and Peter Hooge with children
Jakob, David and Peter Klassen,
The Nikolai Isbrand Rempel family in sons of Jakob J Klassen and first
Melitopol in 1918. Back row 1-r wife Marie Schroeder, 1900
Nikolai Isbrand Rempel, Heinrich Rempel,
Katharina Rempel, Olga Rempel, Middle
row, Georg Rempel, Vera Rempel, Front
seated, Nikolai Rempel (Jr), standing
German/Austrian officer
Jakob J Klassen and his second wife Marie Sudermann
243
MENNONITE INSTITUTIONS
Fortbildungsschule (Secondary School)
At the Field Hospital dedication service it was mentioned that “Father Jakob” was the teacher
of Religion at the Mennonite Fortbildungsschule. He was the first speaker at the service,
and dedicated the facility
Mennonite Field Hospital
On 16 September 1914 the members of the Melitopol Mennonite congregation met to discuss
the founding of a Mennonite field hospital as tangible evidence of wanting to help in
the war effort, in a humanitarian way
The idea was immediately accepted in principle
Practical aspects of the project were dealt with
Adelbert Penner allowed the use of his newly remodeled two-story house free of charge
Private donations provided 15 beds and essential furniture
Ladies of the church supplied the necessary linens
Voluntarily imposed dues by the members of the congregation raised the 600 rubles per
month needed to maintain the facility
Dr D Hildebrand agreed to head the hospital without any reimbursement whatever
All members of the congregation left the meeting feeling that they had contributed something
towards healing the wounds of the sick and infirm
The hospital was dedicated 12 October 1914. A number of officials, including the mayor and
the head of the local medical corps, attended. “Father Jakob,” religion teacher of the
Mennonite Fortbildungsschule , actually dedicated the facility. Jakob Janzen, minister of
the local congregation, speaking in Russian, mentioned the obligations to the Fatherland
in “flowing words” and praised the generous hospitality which Russia had offered them.
Assisting Dr Hildebrand in the management of the hospital was medical student J Sudermann;
Honorary Nurse was Miss A Klassen, head nurse Miss M Teske and assistant head nurse
Miss Huebert. With the arrival of six Sanitaeter the hospital complement was complete,
and patients could be accepted.
Melitopol Mennonite Church
Melitopol served as a trading centre for the surrounding area, including the western villages
of the Molotschna Colony and the surrounding Mennonite estates
Mennonite families may have settled in Melitopol as early as 1845; by 1852 Isaak Enns
operated an oil press in the city. Other trades-people and industrialists moved in over
the years, such as Jakob and Wilhelm Klassen, who came from Neu-Halbstadt in 1886
to establish an agricultural machinery factory that year
Melitopol was the site of a Realschule , where Mennonite students attended, perhaps as early
as the 1870s; there was at least one Mennonite teacher, Johann Fast, in 1906
Some Mennonites from the surrounding area also did their banking in Melitopol, and
244
were taken to the city for medical care after serious injuries
It is not known exactly when a Mennonite church was officially organized in Melitopol. By
1910, however, the congregation sent delegates Wilhelm Klassen and Johann Neufeld
as representatives to the meeting of all Mennonite churches of Russia on 5-6 May 1910 to
discuss the Forestei alternative service. Melitopol was, at the meeting, designated as one
of the centres for collecting the appropriate taxes for this service
The congregation decided to build a sanctuary, the construction of which was begun in 1913.
The design was generally based on the Mennonite Church of Montau, West Prussia,
although various features evolved as members saw churches in other parts of Europe.
Mill owner J Neufeld was particularly influential in this regard. Members were especially
proud that this was the first Mennonite church in Russia to receive government
approval for a bell tower and a church bell. The bell tower needed to be particularly
tall and wide to accommodate the bell poured in Berlin by Georg Richter. The church
building was dedicated on 20 April 1914. The sanctuary was shared with the local
Lutheran congregation.
With the outbreak of World War I, Melitopol Mennonites seem to have wanted to show their
fervent loyalty to the Fatherland. A number of Mennonites volunteered for the
Sanitaetsdienst on the first day of the war. It is not certain that these were official
members of the church. Listed as signing up were: A Klassen, Jakob Warkentin (Jr),
David Willms, Gerhard Janzen, Peter Wallmann and J Bonnellis
The Mennonite congregation met on 16 September 1914, about a month after the declaration of
war, to discuss establishment of a Mennonite Field Hospital. This was meant to show
support for the Fatherland, in a humanitarian way. The idea was accepted in principle,
then followed by arrangements for its implementation. Adelbert Penner offered a
house; furniture was donated; linens were supplied by the ladies. Dr D Hildebrand agreed
to be the director, and the members accepted a levy of cash to finance the project. The
hospital was dedicated 12 October 1914.
Jakob Janzen was then a minister of the Melitopol congregation. At the dedication of the field
hospital he delivered a Russian sermon.
During the anarchy following the Revolution some members of the congregation lost their lives
through Makhno terror in the spring of 1919
The church building was closed in the winter of 1923-1924 when the members did not “register
it promptly” in accordance with new regulations. They did not have the funds for either
the registration, nor for renewing the contract. A large part of the membership belonged
to the worker class, most of whom were unfortunately unemployed at the time. Other
contributing factors were that most of the members lived at least 1 -2 verst from the
church, and that sermons were read, rather than actually preached, and therefore were not
as heart-warming. Added to this was the fact that it was difficult to heat the church in
winter. In short, the authorities closed the church building, and declared the congregation
disbanded. At the time the church did not have the resources, either economic or
spiritual, to counteract the authorities.
Those who still wished to hear the Word of God visited the Russian Evangelical Church.
Occasionally when Mennonite ministers visited the area special German services were
245
held in the building, at times when the sanctuary was not otherwise used.
From some outside source additional funding was made available, and the authorities actually
were quite cooperative, so that after 1 'A years, on Sunday 9 August 1925, the building
was opened and a church service held. The following Sunday, August 16, David H Epp,
Minister from the Lichtenau congregation in the Molotschna, preached in both the
morning and afternoon services. On August 23 Elder A Klassen of the Halbstadt
congregation preached in the morning service, then conducted a wedding ceremony
in the afternoon. The congregation realized that the train connections for the
ministers were somewhat awkward, but greatly appreciated the input. Apparently the 12
ministers of the Lichtenau congregation resolved to each travel to Melitopol once a year;
this resolution was, however, difficult to carry out consistently. Poor weather, health
problems and scheduling conflicts often conspired to leave the congregation to its own
devices. They then continued to have services, but read the sermons and had their own
choir sing.
On 17 October 25 Minister Schmidt of Altona and Nickel of Ohrloff preached. Easter of 1926
Schmidt and Nickel returned, this time with the 30-voice choir from Altona. The
Saturday evening and the Sunday morning services were highlights.
In May of 1926 two men and two women were baptized and joined the church.
Over time a considerable number of ministers came to serve the congregation. These
included Komelius K Martens, G Flamming, Wiens, as well as David H Epp, Schmidt
and Nickel on a number of occasions.
The last major Mennonite conference held in Russia was in Melitopol. The “All Ukrainian
Mennonite General Conference” was held in the church 5-9 October 1926, about 20
months after the previous one was held in Moscow. It was attended by 83 delegates
from Ukraine and 14 Mennonite guests from other parts of Russia; they represented
22,380 members. Proceedings were monitored by two government observers. Jakob
Rempel of Gruenfeld was elected chairman; P Penner of Lichtfelde delivered the keynote
address. Various subjects were discussed, but the overriding thought was that all
Mennonite congregations needed to mutually support each other and cooperate in view
of the evident adversity.
Presumably the congregation ceased to function about 1930. The building no longer exists.
This congregation seemed to be somewhat unique, and possibly suffered as a result of having
no dynamic ministerial leadership throughout its existence.
246
The Mennonite church in Melitopol, dedicated on
20 April 1914. A Lutheran congregation also
used the building for worship services
247
MENNONITE EVENTS IN MELITOPOL
All-Ukrainian Mennonite General Conference (Allukrainische Mennonitische
Bundeskonferenz)
Held in the Melitopol Mennonite Church 5-9 October 1926
There were 83 delegates from congregations in Ukraine, and 14 guests from other parts of
Russia; they represented 22,380 members. Also present were two government officials
sent to monitor the conference - Kotelnikovo and Schoen.
Delegates were very conscious of the immensity of the obligations and the tasks that lay before
them. It was repeatedly emphasized that the purpose was to honour God and his Word, to
build new foundations for the common work of furthering the Kingdom of God.
The conference was opened October 5 by Alexander Ediger, Chairman of the Kommission fuer
Kirchenangelegenheiten (KfK). He read the official government consent, issued on
16 August 1926, allowing the conference to proceed according to regulation No 21404.
Minister P Penner of Lichtfelde delivered the keynote address, basing it on Acts 2:42 and
Titus 2:13. He felt that the purpose of the conference was to build each other up in the
faith and to find ways and means to further the kingdom of God.
The executive was elected; it consisted of Jakob Rempel of Gruenfeld, Johann Toews of
Ignatyevo, Peter Nickel of Ohrloff and Jakob Paetkau of Memrik. Other positions such
as secretaries were also filled. While positions were filled by capable men, it was noted
throughout the conference that many of the leaders of the congregations were missing,
having recently immigrated to Canada
Reports were heard from the KfK\ the various regions shared their experiences. Some of the
14 guests reported on events from Mennonite settlements beyond the borders of Ukraine.
The need for founding a Bible school was discussed, and the motion to do so was passed.
Youth work was considered to be essential. Government monitor Schoen reminded the
delegates that it was illegal to provide Christian education for any child under the age of
18, and that some of the suggestions would be in violation of this regulation. He even
considered the implied instruction at church choir practices to fall into this category.
Despite these warnings the delegates voted to request permission to again allow religious
instruction for children.
The KfK was busy producing songbooks, recently having printed 3,000 at the cost of 2,000
rubles. The monthly publication Unser Blatt reported that the principal request was
to be published more often. It was said to be impossible due to shortage of paper. By a
unanimous vote the delegates passed a motion that when the paper shortage eased
Unser Blatt should be published twice a month. Government monitor Kotelnikovo
suggested that the publication needed to obtain official government permission to send
the paper beyond the borders of Ukraine. This comment illustrated the fact that the real
reason for only appearing monthly was not lack of paper, but ongoing government
interference.
Members of the various commissions were elected and statistical reports given. Total
number of Mennonites in Ukraine at the time was 46,829, of whom 38,039 were
248
labeled Kirchliche, 7,242 Mennonite Brethren and 1,548 Free Church.
The conference thanked the local congregation for its friendly hospitality. The mandatory
picture was taken of the delegates on the church steps. There are 97 on the picture,
representing all those who participated in the conference.
It should be noted that the request to allow religious instruction of children under the age of 18
was not granted. The proposed Bible school was not allowed to open. An ominous sign
of things to come was the arrest, during the conference sessions, of H Reimer of
Rueckenau. He had issued birth certificates; for this he was sentenced to a month of
hard labour and the Rueckenau congregation was dissolved.
This was the last general conference held by the Mennonites in Russia
Molochna Mennonites and their Neighbours, 1804-2004
An academic conference was planned to celebrate the 200-year anniversary of the
establishment of the Molotschna Mennonite Colony
To be held in Melitopol 2-5 June 2004. A large munitions depot burned and exploded just
about 20 km north of Melitopol, the fires starting at noon 6 May, and continuing on for a
number of days. The venue of the conference had to be moved because the major
Melitopol hotel was fully booked with blast specialists from Kiev and elsewhere.
Most of the conference then took place at the Intourist Hotel in Zaporozhye. Participants
were taken by buses to the Melitopol Pedagogical University for one day, Friday 4 June.
The conference was co-chaired by John Staples of New York State University, and Nikolai
Krylov of the University of Melitopol. In all, 33 papers were presented in 13 sessions.
Scholars came from Austria, Canada, Germany, Netherlands, Paraguay, Russia, Ukraine
and the United States. A wide spectrum of subjects on all aspects of the history of
Molotschna Mennonites and their interaction with their neighbours was presented.
Two-thirds of the papers were presented by Ukrainian and Russian scholars.
John Staples delivered the keynote address “Putting ‘Russia’ back into Russian Mennonite
history.” He said that Mennonite historians “have told and retold this story countless
times, but even the best of them have told it as an exclusively Mennonite story.” Nikolai
Krylov discussed “The Role of Molochna Mennonites in the Formation of the Settlement
Network in the Zaporozhye/Azov Region.”
The final conference session on June 5 dealt with topics relating to music and literary culture.
Peter Letkemann of Winnipeg presented a paper on “Heinrich Franz and the origins of the
Ziffern system.”
Well known novelist Rudy Wiebe, a leading contributor to the “structure of fiction”
surrounding the Russian Mennonite story, wondered what his own father would have
said if Joseph Stalin himself had offered him back his own farm in Russia.
After closing observations by historian David Sudermann, some of the delegates headed off to
the railway station at Lichtenau (Svetlodolinskoye) for the dedication of two memorial
benches. These benches are meant to remind visitors of the great significance of the
Lichtenau station in the lives of many Mennonites; for some it was going on to a land of
hope, but for many it was heading to the wilderness of suffering and despair.
249
Delegates and visitors at the All-Ukrainian General Conference held in Melitopol 5-9 October 1926
MENNOMTE BUSINESS
It is interesting to note that there were very many advertisements placed in the
Christlicher Familienkalendar by non-Mennonite business of Melitopol directed to Mennonites.
There were no actual advertisements in this widely read publication, however, placed by
Mennonite business establishments situated in Melitopol.
Enns, Isaak
Operated an oil mill by 1852
Enns, J K
Owned a mail-order business
Friesen, Julius Julius
Came to Melitopol in 1846. Operated a treadmill in 1852
Klassen Abraham and Neufeld Johann
Owned a steam-powered flour mill
In 1908 the business was valued at 20,000 rubles
Probably had a new mill built about 1913
“Anton Erlanger & Co” of Kharkov used a picture of the mill to advertise that they constructed
automatic flour mills
Capacity of the new mill posted as 5,000 pud per day
Klassen, Jakob J and Klassen Wilhelm J
Klassen brothers were co-owners of a factory producing agricultural machinery and equipment
Established in 1886
Known as Klassen & Co. Fabrik landwirtschafticher Maschinen und Geraete
In 1907, at an exhibition in Neu-Halbstadt, the factory won a small gold medallion in
recognition of the excellence of its products
In 1908 valued at 65,000 rubles according to the Forstei taxation list
In 1916 producing a lot of machine guns, mines and shrapnel
By 1925 it was nationalized and became known as the State Factory for Agricultural
Machinery No 2, and by 1926 began producing equipment for mills and elevators
In 1947 it was completely refurbished to produce equipment for the food processing industry
hi 1998 an open joint-stock company named Melitopolprodmash bought the company
In 2005 it is listed as having a capacity to produce 1,500 to 24,000 bottles per hour for soft
drinks and sodas, beer and vodka, champagne
Warkentin, Jakob
Owned a steam-powered flour mill and oil press
In 1908 valued at 10,500 rubles
251
The factory of Jakob and Wilhelm Klassen in the late 1880s
It produced agricultural machinery
Klassen factory (Melitopolprodmash) 2005
252
European motor-driven thresher
253
Flour mill of Klassen and Neufeld, Melitopol, constructed
by Anton Erlanger & Co of Kharkov. The mill was
automatic with a capacity to produce 5,000 pud daily
M M Mynasch and Son. Dealers in cloth and furs, sewing machines,
Viennese furniture, tea, sugar and coffee as well as linoleum
Founded in 1855. Closed Saturdays
Not a Mennonite business, but advertised a number of times in the
Christlicher Familienkalendar published in Halbstadt
254
SOURCES
(for the entire Melitopol chapter)
Bahnman, Marvin, transcriber and facilitator in the publication of “Our Heritage:
Rememberunces of My Life in Russia 1866-1895, from the Diary’ of
Katharina (Wiens) Bahnmann Dyck Regier 1859-1936, 1997, pp 19, 22
Berkoff, Karel C, Harvest of Despair: Life and Death in Ukraine under Nazi Rule , The Belknap
Press of Harvard University Press, Cambridge, Massachusetts and London, England,
2004, pp 12,39, 48,91, 196
Cities and Villages of Ukraine, Kiev, 1970, pp 412-416
Der Bote
Refugee Lists: 8 September 1926
Der Botschafter
List of donors to Bethania Heilanstalt , 24 February 1912, p 5
Dzakovich, P K, Studies of the City of Melitopol and its District: From the Geographical
Point of View, Permission given by the Census Agency, Kharkov, 20 September 1900,
pictures and map from 1900
Encyclopedia of Ukraine, University of Toronto Press Incorporated, Toronto, 1993
EWZ Lists: Mennonite extracts
Jahreshericht des Bevollmaechtigten der Mennonitengemeinden in Russ/and in Sachen der
Unterhaltung der Forstkommandos im Jahre 1908, p 18
Friedensstimme
Letters to the editor and advertising
Report of the Melitopol Regional Court 30 September 1906, p 433
Report of an Exhibition in Neu-Halbstadt, 20 October 1907, p 552-3
Aborted Robbery, 10 November 1907, p 495
Landwirtschaftliche Beilage, No 6, p 6, 1913; 23 July 1914, p 7;
27 September 1914, pp 4-5; 1 November 1914, pp 5-6
Friesen, P M, Die Alt-Evangelische Mennonitische Bruederschaft in Russland (1789-1910),
Raduga, Halbstadt, Taurida, 1911, PP 517, 521,607, 640, 691, 693
Friesen, Rudy P with Friesen, Edith Elisabeth, Building on the Past, Raduga Publications,
Winnipeg, Canada, 2004, pp 697-99
Giesbrecht, Harry. Winnipeg, Manitoba, personal family information
Great Soviet Encyclopedia
Hiebert, Al, personal information from the Mennonite Centre, Molochansk
Kroeker, A, Christlicher Familienka/ender, Raduga, Halbstadt, Taurida,
many pages, especially the advertising, 1901-1915
Letkemann, Peter, "Molochna-2004: Mennonites and Their Neighbors (1804-2004)”: An
International Conference, Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, June 2-5, 2004, Mennonite Quarterly
Review, January 2005, pp 109-119
List of Mennonites living outside the Molotschna Colony in 1852, Odessa Region State
Archives, pp 3, 4
Melitopolprodmash - Microsoft Internet Explorer: Historical references, pictures and current
255
update about the company
Mennonite Encyclopedia , Vol 1, pp 60-61; Vol 2, p 149
Mennonitische Rundschau
Letter to the editor: 1 Jan 1903, p 11
Request list for food drafts: 19 April 1922, p 4, 5; 31 May 1922, p 13; 9 August 1922, p 9
Refugee lists: 11 February 1925 p 14; 27 October 1926, p 10
Sudermann, Peter, Winnipeg, Manitoba, personal information
Toews, A A, Mennonitische Maertyrer, self-published, Winnipeg, Canada, 1949, p 365
Toews, John B, Czars , Soviets & Mennonites , Faith and Life Press, Newton, Kansas, 1982,
pp 50, 63, 66
Unser Blatt
Report of the church reopening November 1925 p 28
Advertising for the planned Melitopol conference, October 1926 p 19
Church function since the reopening December 1926 p 82
Reports on Allukrainische Mennonitische Bundeskonferenz, November 1926 pp 33-36,
46-53. Picture page 52; January 1927 pp 113-116
Ziesmann, Hedy, St Catherines, Ontario, personal information
256
Chapter IV
MILLEROVO
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Table ofContents.257
History of Millerovo.258
Map of Rostov-on-Don and Donetsk Region.261
Map of Millerovo in 1919 {Die Deutsche Strasse) .262
Map of Civil War near Millerovo.263
Pictures of Millerovo 1915,2005.264
List of People.266
Pictures of People.295
Mennonite Institutions.300
Pictures of Mennonite Brethren Church and School.302
Mennonite Events.303
Tragedy in Millerovo.307
Mennonite Businesses.308
Pictures of Business Establishments.312
Wilhelm Isaak Dyck (1854-1936).318
Cornelius Abram DeFehr (1881-1979).329
Komelius Jakob Martens (1876-1974)
and Maria (nee Dyck) Martens (1884-1961).339
Sources.351
257
HISTORY OF MILLEROVO
Millerovo was founded in 1786 by Sargent-Major Ivan Abramovich
Miller as a manor settlement. Abram was the son of a Prussian colonel, and
served Peter the Great (Peter I). The Miller (Millerovo) family continued to
serve the czar, one being a bandmaster in the court, another was physician to
the Czarina. The family contributed a lot to the welfare of the people of
Russia. As late as the early twentieth century two Miller brothers owned
large houses
in the city,
one having a
distinct red,
the other a
green roof.
In 1872 the Rostov-
Voronezh-Kozlov Railway passed
through Millerovo; after the
construction of the railway line to
Lugansk in 1898, Millerovo became
an important railwayjunction in the
Don region of South Russia. It was
here that agricultural products of the
upper Don region were delivered
The Miller (Millerovo) family in 1912 and processed to be despatched to
the central provinces of Russia. It
should be noted that during the time the Mennonites lived in Millerovo, even in the times of anarchy,
the railway seemed to function surprisingly well.
The city is about 18 km west of the Kal itva River, a tributary of the Donets, which flows into
the Don. It is 190 km north and slightly east of Rostov-on-Don, likely somewhat more than 200 km
by rail, and roughly 400 km east of Dnepropetrovsk. In 1903 Millerovo had a population of 10,000,
mostly Russians, but was surrounded by German Lutheran colonies. The first pharmacy was opened
in the city in 1899. Mineral water was sold, presumably to bolster the health of the citizens. In 1904
Nurse Kobzov claimed to cure both humans and animals with equal skill.
In the late nineteenth and early twentieth century, probably because of the excellent rail
connections, Millerovo built steam mills, oil mills, an elevator, an oil pressing factory and an
ironworks. Mennonites played an important part in these developments.
The first Mennonites settled in Millerovo in 1903; they were David J Klassen, Wilhelm J
Friesen, Johann Nickel, J Siemens and Wilhelm I Dyck. Friesen and Dyck owned a business in
Petrovka of the Naumenko Colony, which they sold as they settled in Millerovo. In the next decade
a considerable Mennonite business presence developed. There were four flour mills, one factory,
three implement repair shops and one implement dealership. These businesses were located on
Nemezkaya Uliza , “die Deutsche Strasse The business group was known as the “Millerovo
The Miller family
crest
258
Geschaeftsgruppe .” Although the Mennonite group, both owners and workers, lived a fairly
segregated life, being established on the edge of the city in their own section, relations with the
surrounding Russians were fairly good. This applied especially to the Cossacks, who, for example,
in the Revolution of 1905, assured the Mennonites that they had nothing to fear.
In 1903 the initial group, Klassen, Friesen, Nickel, Siemens and Dyck established a steam-
driven flour mill, in time owned and operated by Dyck and Friesen. In 1908 these two constructed
a six-story building using imported American machinery. In 1904 {Cornelius Martens and Cornelius
A DeFehr, sons-in-law of Wilhelm Dyck, established a large agricultural machinery factory, which
in time also produced other industrial machinery. At its most flourishing time the factory employed
up to 200 workers and did one million rubles-worth of business in a year. At least two more flour
mills were constructed by Mennonites. The mill owned by Jakob Nickel was valued at 10,000 rubles
in 1908. Peter Schroeder owned a flour mill and an oil press.
The Mennonite Brethren congregation started in 1903 was affiliated with the Einlage church
of the Chortitza Colony, many of the settlers originally coming from that village. About 1906 the
congregation constructed a larger church building, which also served as school. The building itself
was shared by the entire German community, which included Baptists and Lutherans.
With the onset of World War I things changed. A number of Mennonite men from Millerovo
served in the Forsteidienst and the Sanitaetsdienst as alternate service. The Mennonite business
community established a hospital for wounded soldiers on the second floor of the administrative
building of the Dyck mill, with Elisabeth DeFehr being in charge of the unit. Even so there was
discrimination against the German-speaking citizens; the banks, for a time, would not extend credit
to them. Plans were to confiscate all property owned by people of German origin.
During the Revolution and the following Civil War Mennonite
businessmen, and likely other Russian businessmen as well, were targeted
for special treatment. On one of the times when the city was occupied by
the Communists about 100 of the leading citizens were imprisoned, and
only saved from execution by the payment of substantial bribes. During
the Civil War, Millerovo repeatedly passed back and forth between the
struggling parties. In 1918 it was the centre of the Donetsk district of the
Don Soviet Republic. Comrade A A Vermisher was one of the leading
revolutionaries in the region; despite being a musician, poet and lawyer,
his specialty was making home-made bombs. He was eventually killed,
presumably in battle, in 1919.
For a time in 1918, Millerovo it was occupied by German troops
as a condition of the Brest-Litovsk T reaty with Germany. Karl Ritter was
a German soldier quartered in the home of Wilhelm Dyck.
In 1919 the Mennonite population of Millerovo was about 300,
some of these, for example the extended Wilhelm Dyck and Abram
DeFehr families, fleeing to the Kuban Colony by train in December of
1919. By 1926 there were still 231 Mennonites in Millerovo. During this
time, particularly in 1924, many members of the Mennonite community
immigrated to Canada. In 1927 the church was still active enough to
celebrate Thanksgiving, but likely shortly thereafter, with very few Mennonites left in Millerovo,
259
the church probably closed its doors.
During the Soviet era Millerovo continued to grow as an industrial centre, with particular
emphasis on agricultural products and food processing. It was incorporated as a city in 1926. With
the German invasion of Russia during World War II, Millerovo was not spared. Operation “Blau”
was a German offensive in south Russia aimed at Stalingrad which began in June 1942. The Soviet
forces offered little resistance. There were
several attempts to form defensive lines, one
northeast of Kharkov, the other around
Millerovo. Both of these pockets were
eventually surrounded and destroyed, Millerovo
being captured on 15 July 1942, as the German
offensive headed on toward Stalingrad. The time
of German occupation is recorded as being from
16 July 1941 until they retreated from the region
17 January 1943. The city is said to have
suffered great loss during this time. During the
occupation there was a concentration camp for
Soviet war prisoners, “Dulag 125,” in Millerovo,
also referred to as “Millerovo Pit.”
Millerovo largely recovered after the war. Industries during the Soviet times included
production of metallurgical equipment, meat packing, vegetable oil extraction, flour milling, the
making of wine and manufacture of clothing and furniture.
In 2004 a book, My City Millerovo , outlining the history of
Millerovo, was published by Elena Kuzmenko. It included a fairly detailed
description of archeology of the Don Basin, and outlined the subsequent
developments, including the Mennonite era, the Revolution and Civil War,
events of World War II and more recent industrial progress.
In 2005 the population was estimated at 38,726. Millerovo is the
home of artist Igor Chuzhikov, who has exhibited his paintings in Ukraine,
Moscow, Belgium and the USA. The South-Russian State University of
Economics and Service is based in the city. The Millerovo Oil Extraction
Plant, part of the Ashton Corporation, is one of the major enterprises of the
oil and fat industry in Russia. The plant is able to process 150,000 tons of
sunflower seeds annually. The most recent major news event in the region
was the crash of a passenger aircraft near Millerovo on 24 August 2004; all
46 people on the Tupolev TU154B2 of the Sibir Airlines were killed.
Some of the Mennonite homes, such as those of A A DeFehr and Wilhelm Dyck, still exist,
as does the church building. The “American” and the A A Defehr mill buildings still stand, although
they are probably not functioning as mills.
Elena Kuzmenko
260
^ Mitrofankovka
ROSTOV-ON-DON and DONETSK
REGION of SOUTH RUSSIA ^
Using modem maps and detailing
the area around Millerovo
Bclokurakind \
-Railway
Major Highway oStarobeisk
- Highway _... I
, Sulginka
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V,\
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o ! I
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ijno Millerovo^rp
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261
4 - W I Dyck Mill and Home
□
A A DeFehr and Sons
Mill
A A DeFehr (Jr)
A A DeFehr (Sr)
□
Mill Office
□
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Wilhelm J
Friesen
I
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and School
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K Martens
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Railway Station
American Mill
Administrative Building
(second floor was hospital
during World War I)
□
Possible home of
Jakob Riediger
Possible home of
Johann Penner
O
Implement Factory
Martens, DeFehr and Dyck
Russian Orthodox
Church
MILLEROVO
IN 1919
Showing only the “German” section
of the city
Die Deutsche Strasse
A composite map drawn from maps
by Fred Wall and Neil Fast
262
HTH/200
263
Millerovo city and main street
The Millerovo skyline about 1915
Millerovo overview with main street
264
Millerovo in 2005
Entrance to Millerovo
The K Martens and C A DeFehr homes in 2005
with mills in the background
265
LIST OF PEOPLE
(Who have at one time lived in Millerovo)
(Each name will appear in bold print only once)
By 1919 there were said to be over 300 Mennonites in Millerovo. In 1926 it was
apparently down to 231. We have identified 400 specific individuals who have lived in
Millerovo at some period in their lives.
Berg, Gerhard
Bom about 1874
Wife Katharina - bom about 1881
Children:
Katharina - bom about 1904, Maria - bom about 1906, Margaretha - bom about 1910
Isaak - bom about 1911
Immigrated to Canada in 1924, settling in Rosthem, Saskatchewan
Berg, Justina Heinrich
Bom about 1890
Children:
Margaretha - bom about 1913
Maria - bom about 1915
Heinrich - bom about 1918
Johann - bom about 1920
Gerhard - bom about 1923
Immigrated to Canada in 1924, settling in Herbert, Saskatchewan
Born, Martin Isaak
Probably wife and 3 children
Applied for food drafts for 5 people through the pages of the Mennonitische Rundschau
13 September 1922, p 11
Request directed to Johann Goossen, Berry, Oklahoma
Braun, Kornelius
Wife, Mrs Braun
Kornelius was brother of Anna, wife of Peter Peter Schroeder
Together with Peter Peter Schroeder and Jakob Hildebrandt was owner of the Schroeder
flour mill and oil press
Buller, Jakob Andreas
Bom about 1878
Wife Katharina - bom about 1879
Children:
Jakob - born about 1908, Peter - bom about 1910, Abram - bom about 1911
Franz - bom about 1913
Immigrated to Canada in 1924, settling in Rosthem, Saskatchewan
DeFehr, Abram Abram (Sr)
Bom 1848 in Einlage, Chortitza
266
Married Helena Peters in 1872
Moved to Kronsweide in 1883, where he was a farmer and carpenter
Moved to Petrovka, Naumenko Colony in 1888, then moved to Millerovo in 1906 or 1907
Built a 3 story steam-powered flour mill in Millerovo in 1907, called “A A DeFehr and Sons”
together with son Abram Abram DeFehr (Jr), son-in-law Franz Janzen, and likely
son-in-law Jakob Klassen and son Heinrich
By 1917 son Cornelius Abram DeFehr was also a partner in the mill
Fled to Kuban with the extended DeFehr and Dyck families 7 December 1919
Children:
Susanna - bom 29 August 1874 in Einlage, died 13 October 1874, in Einlage
Helena - bom 1875 (see separate listing Helena Abram Penner)
Susanna - bom 15 September 1817 in Einlage, died 15 January 1905 in Petrovka after
a 3'/2 month illness
Abram - bom 1879 (see separate list Abram Abram DeFehr)
Cornelius - bom 1881 (see separate list Cornelius Abram DeFehr and biography)
Katharina - bom 1883 (see separate listing Jakob Klassen)
Franz - bom 1885 (see separate listing Franz Abram DeFehr)
Maria - bom 1887 (see separate listing Maria Abram Peters)
Jakob - bom 26 March 1889 in Petrovka, died 10 April 1891 in Petrovka
Margaretha - bom 22 February 1891 in Petrovka, lived with parents in Millerovo,
likely fled to the Kuban in 1919
Married Jakob Reimer in 1920, 5 children
Stayed in Russia, died in Siberia
Jakob - bom 10 June 1893 in Petrovka, died 2 August 1893 in Petrovka
Heinrich - bom 1895 (see separate listing Heinrich Abram DeFehr)
Abram (Sr) died 9 November 1923 in the Kuban
Helena immigrated from the Kuban to Mexico with some of her children in 1924, then to
Canada in 1926
Helena died 1 June 1931 in Didsbury, Alberta
DeFehr, Abram Abram (Jr)
Bom 12 October 1879 in Einlage
Parents Abram Abram DeFehr and Helena Peters
Family moved to Kronsweide in 1883, then to Petrovka in 1888
Baptized and became member of the Mennonite Brethren Church in 1901
Married Helena Paetkau 26 April 1906, soon thereafter establishing a home in Millerovo
Children:
Abram - bom 28 February 1907 in Millerovo, died 15 October 1908 in Millerovo
Johann - bom 28 February 1908 in Millerovo, immigrated to Canada, married
Helena Wiebe, 4 children
Helena - bom 3 May 1909 in Millerovo, immigrated to Canada, married
Heinrich Ewert, 1 child
Abram - bom 15 July 1910 in Millerovo, immigrated to Canada, married Maria Reimer,
4 children, large furniture manufacturing business in Winnipeg,
267
“Palliser Furniture Limited,” Died 14 May 1998 in Winnipeg
Komelius - bom 13 September 1911 in Millerovo, died 7 October 1914 in Millerovo
Heinrich - bom 17 November 1912 in Millerovo, died 5 October 1914 in Millerovo
Anna - bom 26 November 1914 in Millerovo, immigrated to Canada, married
Hermann Dick, 3 children
Elisabeth - bom 26 Novemberl914 in Millerovo, died 9 March 1915 in Millerovo
Heinrich - born 27 November 1918 in Millerovo, immigrated to Canada, married
Irene Thiessen
Together with father Abram Abram DeFehr and brother-in-law Franz Janzen built a large
steam-powered flour mill in Millerovo called “A A DeFehr and Sons”
Choir conductor in the church
With the family fled to the Kuban in December 1919; again was choir conductor in the Kuban
Immigrated to Mexico in 1924, then to Canada in 1926
Lived in Winnipeg 17 years; helped found North Kildonan
Was the building superintendent for the construction of the MB church
Worked on committees and conducted the choir
1942 moved to St Catherines for 13 years, to North Kildonan 4 years, then Clearbrook, BC
Wife Helena died 1960; he married Widow Katharina Janzen 14 April 1962
Abram died 26 October 1966 in Clearbrook
DeFehr, Cornelius Abram
(see biography of Cornelius Abram (C A) DeFehr)
Bom 6 October 1881 in Einlage, Chortitza Colony
Parents Abram Abram DeFehr (Sr) and Helena Peters
Married Elisabeth Dyck 13 November 1903 in Millerovo
She was the daughter of Wilhelm Isaak Dyck and Emilie Poetker
Moved to Millerovo in 1904 soon after the birth of first child
Children:
Elisabeth - bom 11 October 1904 in Petrovka, Naumenko Colony, moved to Millerovo
with the family, fled to the Kuban with the family in 1919, married Bernhard
Bernhard Fast 23 June 1923 in Wohldemfuerst, Kuban, immigrated to Canada
in 1924, 5 children, died 12 September 1976 in Winnipeg
Helena - bom 27 March 1906 in Millerovo, died July 1907 in Millerovo
Wilhelm - born 13 November 1907 in Millerovo, died 19 October 1910 in Millerovo
Abram - bom 12 May 1909 in Millerovo, fled to the Kuban with the family in 1919,
immigrated to Canada with family in 1925, married Velma Litz 6 September 1931
in Winnipeg, 4 children, Velma died 7 July 1993 in Winnipeg, Abram remarried
and now (2005) lives in Kelowna, BC
Cornelius - bom 2 June 1911 in Millerovo, fled to the Kuban with family in 1919,
immigrated to Canada with family in 1925, married Agatha Neufeld 24 May 1936,
3 children, died 19 February 2000 in Winnipeg
Wilhelm - bom 25 May 1913 in Millerovo, fled to the Kuban with family in 1919,
immigrated to Canada with family in 1925, married Ema Neufeld 6 April 1940,
4 children, died 20 June 1987 at Victoria Beach, Manitoba
268
Cornelius, with Komelius Martens, established an agricultural machinery factory in 1904;
he was the business manager, Martens the engineer and production manager;
father-in-law Wilhelm Isaak Dyck joined as partner in 1909
By 1917 he was also part owner, together with father A A DeFehr and other siblings, of a
large flour mill “A A DeFehr and Sons”
Fled to the Kuban in December 1919 together with the extended DeFehr/Dyck families
Immigrated to Canada in September 1925
Successful import-export and furniture business in Winnipeg
Participated in and played a key role in many church and conference activities
Assisted Mennonite Central Committee in the settlement of refugees in South America after
World War II
Elisabeth died 23 March 1972 in Winnipeg
Cornelius died 11 February 1979 in Winnipeg
DeFehr, Franz Abram
Bom 15 April 1885 in Kronsweide, Chortitza
Seventh of 12 children of Abram Abram DeFehr and Helena Peters
Did not flee from Millerovo to the Kuban with the extended DeFehr/Dyck family in 1919
Worked as a clerk in a bank in Millerovo
Imprisoned for 3 months in 1921 during the Communist time because of a jealous co-worker’s
complaint
Finally rescued from the GPU jail through the intervention of his brother Cornelius
Stayed in Russia
Married Susanna Dyck, had at least 1 child, Susanna
Died in exile in 1942
DeFehr, Heinrich Abram
Bom 15 May 1895 in Petrovka
Youngest of 12 children of Abram Abram DeFehr and Helena Peters
Went to Kommerzschule in Rostov, at least 1909-1913
Worked in, and in time became part owner of the large flour mill owned by his father
“A A DeFehr and Sons”
Sanitaeter during World War I, serving on Hospital Train No 195
Fled to the Kuban with the extended DeFehr/Dyck family in December 1919
Immigrated to Mexico over Germany with his mother and some siblings in 1924, then in 1926
to Canada
Married Anna Bergen in 1927, had 7 children; Anna died in 1947
In 1948 he married Widow Sara Kehler (nee Froese), who had 4 children
Heinrich died 8 September 1971 in Winnipeg, Manitoba
Dueck, Heinrich Heinrich
Sanitaeter working on Hospital Train No 163 during World War I
Dyck, Aganetha P
Daughter Margaretha
Daughter Agnes
Immigrated to Canada, landing in Quebec on 8 October 1927, Settling in Winnipeg
269
Dyck, David Isaak
Bom 23 October 1851 in Rosenthal, Chortitza Colony
Parents Isaak Heinrich Dyck and Maria David Redekopp
He was an older brother of Elder Wilhelm Isaak Dyck
Moved to Millerovo in 1910, probably at the invitation of brother Wilhelm
Employed by Wilhelm
Married Helena Warkentin 6 February 1876
Helena was bom 30 September 1854
Had 8 children, the youngest 3 would have lived with them in Millerovo
First lived in Rosenthal, moved to Adelsheim in 1881, to Eichenfeld in 1884, to Schoenberg
in 1901, then to Millerovo in 1910
In 1916-17 owned 2 shares of the Russisch-Amerikanische Muel/erei Gesellschaft
Children living in Millerovo;
Wilhelm - bom 16 June 1891, married in 1914, died 13 August 1948
Agatha - bom 29 November 1893, married 1914, died 21 June 1947
Gerhard - bom 21 August 1896, died 1944
David died 7 June 1927, Helena died 17 June 1928
Dyck, Nikolai
Bom 6 November 1880
First marriage to Margaretha Bickert
Children:
Possibly a son Nikolai, who died
Katharina - bom 26 February 1904, lived in Millerovo with the family, married
Franz Heese 19 April 1924, died 5 August 1976
Wife Margaretha died a few years after marriage
Nikolai married Aganeta Janzen 23 November 1908
Aganeta was bom 23 October 1890 in Chortitza, Chortitza
Ninth of 15 children of Peter Peter Janzen and Elisabeth Schulz
Children:
Nikolai - bom 1909 in Millerovo, died 1910 at the age of 8 months in Millerovo
Maria - bom 16 January 1911 in Millerovo, to Danzig in 1918, then to Gronau in
Westphalia, then to The Netherlands, immigrated to Canada in 1927, married
Nikolai Abram Thiessen 1 June 1925, 5 children, husband Nikolai died
16 December 1999
Margaretha - bom 1912 in Millerovo, died 1926 in Gronau, Westphalia, of meningitis
Agnes - born 7 August 1914 in Millerovo, died 19 June 2000
Nikolai worked as a grain purchaser for “A A DeFehr and Sons” flour mill in Millerovo
Was in the Sanitaetsdienst during World War I
The family fled from Russia with the retreating German troops when they evacuated in 1918
Nikolai died 23 November 1918 as the family was travelling to Danzig
Family stayed in Danzig for 3 years, then to Gronau, Westphalia, then to The Netherlands
Aganeta and children immigrated to Canada in 1927, landing in Halifax, then to Winnipeg
on 10 October 1927
270
Aganeta married Philip Wiebe in 1933, died 24 October 1978
Dyck, Peter Peter
Bom 2 October 1880
Parents Peter Dyck and Katharina Kehler
Married Elisabeth Voth 5 January 1913
She was bom 22 October 1892 in Friedensfeld, Sagradovka
Her parents were Peter Voth and Elisabeth Wallmann
Son Arthur - bom 7 December 1913 in Millerovo
Dyck, Wilhelm Isaak
(see biography Elder Wilhelm Isaak Dyck)
Bom 4 February 1854 in Rosenthal, Chortitza
Sixth and last child of Isaak Heinrich Dyck and Maria David Redekopp
Orphan at the age of 3, Dorfschule likely in Franzfeld, Zentralschule in Chortitza
Colony administrator
Married Maria Riediger 7 July 1877, lived in Nikolaifeld, then Reinfeld by 1889
11 children
In Reinfeld ordained as a minister of the MB Church; extensive itinerant travel
Maria died 14 October 1896 of typhus; Wilhelm married Emilie Poetker 19 July 1897,
7 more children
Moved to Petrovka, Naumenko Colony in 1900, then to Millerovo in 1903
One of the first five Mennonite families to move to Millerovo, came with his own single
children as well as some of his married children
Children who moved to Millerovo with the family:
Maria (see Komelius Jakob Martens)
Elisabeth (see Cornelius Abram DeFehr)
Katharina (see David Johann Klassen)
Anna - bom 24 March 1889 in Reinfeld, disabled, died 13 August 1922 in the Kuban
Helena (see Jakob Peter Riediger)
Susanna - bom 7 February 1893 in Reinfeld, married cousin Wilhelm Dyck in 1915,
7 children, stayed in Russia, died 13 August 1984
Amalie - bom 18 February 1901 in Petrovka, baptized in Millerovo, attended
Maedchenschu/e in Halbstadt, to the Kuban in 1919, immigrated to Canada in
1924, married Johannes Bock 23 October 1927 in Gnadenthal, Manitoba, moved
Manitou, Gnadenthal, Marquette, had 10 children of whom 3 died in infancy,
she died 11 December 1988
Wilhelm - bom 18 July 1903 in Millerovo, baptized in Millerovo 5 October 1917, to the
Kuban in 1919, immigrated to Canada in 1924, married Anna Reimer
25 June 1927, lived in Gnadenthal, then Coaldale 1932-34, thereafter Niverville,
6 children, pastor of the Niverville MB Church, for many years as lay minister,
then as ordained minister, successful businessman, died 6 December 1971
in Niverville
Agathe - bom 14 September 1905 in Millerovo, died 21 September 1926 in Millerovo
Agathe - bom 8 June 1907 in Millerovo, to the Kuban in 1919, immigrated to Canada in
271
1924, worked, then went to Manitoba Teachers College, taught school near
Niverville 1930-36, married Cornelius Cornelius Warkentin in 1936, lived in
Winnipeg, 6 children, adopted her younger sister Elfrida in 1943, died
13 October 2000 in Winnipeg
Gerhard - bom 26 November 1912 in Millerovo, died 2 October 1917 in Millerovo of a
millstone accident
Elfrieda - bom 2 January 1927 in Gnadenthal, Manitoba
With partners Wilhelm J Friesen, Johann Nickel and J Siemens built a steam-powered flour
mill in Millerovo in 1903; Nickel and Siemens soon dropped out of the partnership
Then, with Friesen as partner built a new six-story mill in 1908, the company being called the
Russisch-Amerikanische Muellerei Gesellschft
In 1916-17 Wilhelm owned 14’/2, Wilhelm Friesen owned 11 of the 48 shares of the company
Became partner, together with sons-in-law Cornelius A DeFehr and Cornelius Martens of an
agricultural machinery factory; it was established in 1904, he became partner in 1909
Leader of the Millerovo MB Church from its beginning, ordained as elder 11 October 1914
Itinerant minister, travelled to many parts of Russia
Fled from Millerovo to the Kuban with extended family 7 December 1919
Immigrated to Canada 1924, bought farm in Gnadenthal, Manitoba
1930 moved to live with daughter Agathe near Niverville, Manitoba
Emilie died of breast cancer 11 December 1931; Wilhelm died 2 March 1936 in Niverville
Ediger, David David
Bom 20 April 1881 in Huschin, Crimea
Parents David Johann Ediger and Maria Penner
Married Anna Wiens on 4 January 1907
She was bom 8 August 1882 in Johannesruh, Crimea
Her parents were Jakob Wiens and Anna Beier
Children:
Luise - bom 6 June 1911 in Millerovo, married David Franz Thiessen 30 July 1931
in Einlage, had at least 1 son, she died 20 January 1999 in Winnipeg, Manitoba
Helene - bom 24 March 1915 in Millerovo, married Cornelius Kliewer 15 May 1936
in Einlage, died 22 June in Winnipeg, Manitoba
Quite probably one of the owners of an agricultural implement manufacture and repair shop
“Ediger Brothers and Unrau”
Ediger, Mr
Likely brother to David Ediger; was one of the owners of “Ediger Brothers and Unrau”
Fast, Alexander Johann
Bom 22 September 1890 in Alexanderfeld, Kuban
Parents Johann Fast and Helene Dueck
Teacher in a private school in Millerovo, likely the one at the MB Church
Married Katharina Penner, daughter of the principal of the school 8 May 1921
Immigrated to Canada 26 June 1925
Received teaching certificate and taught in Manitoba 1930-1947
1947 moved to Atchelitz, British Columbia; Alexander died 2 July 1964
272
Katharina then moved to Chilliwack, where she died 10 January 1999
Fast, Isaak
Bom about 1893
Wife Elisabeth - bom about 1896
Children:
Isaak - born about 1918
Waldo - bom about 1920
Alexander - bom about 1922
Immigrated to Canada in 1924, settling in Herbert, Saskatchewan
Isaak was actually delayed in Southampton for some time because of trachoma
He received his teaching certificate in Winnipeg and taught in Manitoba
Isaak died in a snowstorm March 1941
Friesen, Heinrich
Named farmer ( Landwirt) from Millerovo
Refugee in Germany as of February 1921, at Stallgasse 38, Marienburg, West Prussia
Friesen, Isbrand Johann
Bom about 1854
Wife Maria - bom about 1861
Children:
Sarah - bom about 1898
Wilhelm - bom about 1905
Immigrated to Canada in 1924, settling in Rosthem, Saskatchewan
Friesen, Johann Isbrand
Bom about 1892
Wife Claudia - bom about 1899
Sister Olga - born about 1904
Immigrated to Canada in 1924, settling in Rosthem, Saskatchewan
Friesen, Wilhelm J
Wife Mrs Friesen
Was a teacher
Partner with Wilhelm Isaak Dyck in the ownership of a small Schlichlmuelle (planer mill)
in Petrovka, Naumenko Colony
In 1903, together with Wilhelm Isaak Dyck, Johann Nickel and J Siemens, built a large
steam-powered flour mill in Millerovo; soon Nickel and Siemens dropped out
Dyck and Friesen constructed a new, much larger mill in 1908, the company was called the
Riissisch-Amerikanische Muellerei Gesellschaft, or “American Mill”
1916-17 Friesen was still a major partner in the mill, holding 11 of the 48 shares
During the unsettled times Wilhelm and his wife were planning to go to Germany
Froese, Tina
Lived in Millerovo in 1906
Probably had a daughter at the time, age 6 or 7
Gadsky, Heinrich Adolf
Bom about 1905
273
Immigrated to Canada in 1924, settling in Herbert, Saskatchewan
Goertz, Mr
Received part of a food package from American Mennonite Relief in July 1922
Goertzen, Helena (nee Schapansky)
Bom 24 July 1837 in Chortitza Colony
Father Hermann Schapansky
Married Johann Jakob Penner, then after he died, a Goertzen
She died 23 December 1907 in Millerovo
Guenter, Mrs H
(3 people, therefore probably 2 children)
Received part of a food package from American Mennonite Relief in July 1922
Harder, Peter
Bom 20 October 1864
Father Peter Harder
Married Anna Braun in 1892 in Ebenfeld, Borozenko Colony
She died July 1910 in the Arkadak Colony
Peter died 29 March 1920 in Millerovo
Harder, Widow P
Received part of a food package from American Mennonite Relief in July 1922
Heckmann, Johann
(3 people, therefore probably wife and 1 child)
Received part of a food package from American Mennonite Relief in July 1922
Hepting, Heinrich Andreas
Bom 1881
Married Anna Lecher, who was bom 1881
Children:
Olga - bom 3 October 1907 in Millerovo, married Aron Dietrich Rempel
13 November 1932 in Yarrow, BC, 9 children,
died 31 October 1991 in Richmond, BC
Elisabeth - born 25 March 1910 in Millerovo, married Komelius Komelius Klassen
19 December 1936, 3 children, died 6 December 1963 in Kelowna, BC
Hildebrandt, Jakob
Wife Mrs Hildebrandt
Together with brother-in-law Peter Peter Schroeder and Komelius Braun was owner of a
flour mill and an oil mill
Isaak, Franz Franz
Bom 26 September 1876 in Lichtenau, Molotschna
Parents Franz Peter Isaak and Maria Dyck
Converted at the age of 14, was baptized 3 years later and joined the MB Church
Married Aganetha Doerksen 27 May 1899
Her father was Elder Jakob Doerksen
They had 5 children, 1 daughter died in infancy, the other 4 were:
Nalja, Franz, Jakob, Abram
274
Franz taught in Nikolaifeld for 5 years, then in Bassabotovka, Kharkov for 2 years
Then moved to Millerovo and taught there for 2 years (1906-1908)
Then moved to Glubokaya (now Glubokij) near Millerovo, where he established his own mill
In 1910 was ordained as minister by the Millerovo MB Church
Together with Wilhelm Isaak Dyck represented the Millerovo MB Church at the MB
Convention held at Vassilievka, Kharkov Region, 14-16 September 1918
Shortly after 1918 moved to the Kuban
In October of 1923 Franz was chosen to be on the executive of the All-Russian Mennonite
Agricultural Union (Allrussischer Mennonitischer Landwirtschaftlicher Verein ).
Other members of the executive were P F Froese and C F Klassen
The organizing meeting was in Alexanderthal, Molotschna
Subsequent meetings were in Devlakanovo in 1924 and Moscow in 1925. The
last meeting was in 1927, when Franz was already in Canada
Immigrated to Canada in 1925, settling in Winnipeg
Continued to work for the good of the Kingdom of God
When son Jakob suggested that he relinquish some of his work because of poor health
Franz wrote back, “I serve a Lord who will never give his servant too much work;
I may not live much longer, but as long as the Lord allows me to live, I will labour
for him.”
Soon thereafter Franz died of a heart attack, 14 May 1944, in Winnipeg, Manitoba
Isaak, Jakob
Bom 30 December 1875
Married Anna Kornelius Pauls, likely before 1900
Anna was bom 23 September 1879 in Kronsthal, Chortitza
Her parents were Kornelius Pauls and Agatha Zacharias
First lived in the Orenburg Colony, then moved to Millerovo some time after 1907
Jakob was owner of a paint and chemical factory in Millerovo
Advertized in Christlicher Familienkalender in 1914
Address of the factory was on German Street, telephone No 11
Children:
Jakob - bom about 1900 in the Orenberg Colony, shot by the Bolsheviks in 1919 because
he tried to escape without paying the huge bribe they demanded
Abram - bom 28 September 1902 in the Orenburg Colony, moved to Millerovo, then to
the Kuban with the family, came for the funeral of his 4 siblings in Millerovo in
June of 1926, married Maria Klippenstein 15 August 1926,
immigrated to Canada, died 5 February 1977 in Clearbrook, British Columbia
Anna - bom 15 March 1907 in the Orenburg Colony, moved to Millerovo, then to the
Kuban, eventually to Curitiba, Brazil by 1939, died 18 December 1985
in Curitiba
Agnes - bom about 1908, likely in Millerovo, to Kuban with family likely in 1919,
drowned 18 June 1926 while visiting back in Millerovo
Katharina (Tina) - bom about 1910 in Millerovo, to Kuban with family likely in 1919,
drowned 18 June 1926 while visiting back in Millerovo
275
Agathe - bom about 1914 in Millerovo, to Kuban with family likely in 1919,
drowned 18 June 1926 while visiting back in Millerovo
There is not unanimity as to the ages of Agnes and Agathe
Another source has Agathe bom in 1907, Agnes in 1913
Peter - bom about 1916 in Millerovo, to Kuban with the family likely in 1919,
drowned 18 June 1926 while visiting back in Millerovo
Wilhelm (Willy) - bom 22 November 1919 in Millerovo, to Kuban with the family
likely in 1919, present at the drowning tragedy of his siblings in Millerovo
18 June 1926, but because he could not swim did not go into the water,
immigrated to Curitiba, Brazil, where he married Helena Willms on
24 February 1940, 9 children, died 10 January 1992 in Curitiba, Brazil
Father Jakob was tortured by the Bolsheviks, son Jakob had been killed, so the family
chose to leave for what appeared to be a safer region, the Kuban, likely in 1919,
abandoning business and house
Jakob developed a stroke and died 10 September 1925 in the Kuban
Wife Anna with 5 children went back to Millerovo in June of 1926 to visit relatives, and
possibly to reclaim their house
Four children died in a swimming accident on June 18: Agnes, Katharina, Agathe and Peter
The funeral was held on June 20 at the MB church
Anna died 28 December 1928
Janzen, Abram
Received part of a food package from American Mennonite Relief in July 1922
Janzen, Aron
Secretary of the Mennonite Brethren Church in July 1922
Janzen, Franz
Widower with 4 daughters
Married Helena DeFehr, daughter of A A DeFehr (Sr), in Osterwick 11 November 1900,
then likely lived in Osterwick
Moved to Petrovka in 1904, then to Millerovo in 1905
Together with father-in-law A A DeFehr (Sr) and brother-in-law A A DeFehr (Jr) helped
build a large flour mill, “A A DeFehr and Sons”
Picture taken in 1910 labels him as one of the owners of the mill
Franz died 25 August 1911 in Millerovo
Helena married Widower Johann Penner 2 January 1914 in Millerovo
(see listing Helena Abram Penner)
Janzen, Franz
Refugee in Germany as of February 1921, at Stallgasse 39, Marienburg, West Prussia
Janzen, Franz Franz
Bom 16 June 1884 in Kalinovo, Memrik Colony
Married Maria Neufeld
Bom 11 December 1888 in Kalinovo, Memrik Colony
Children:
7 boys, most of whom died at childbirth
276
Franz - bom 13 November 1909 in Kolytarevka, Dontesk, Russia,
died 8 February 1975 in Abbotsford, British Columbia
Abram - bom 27 September 1912, died 8 June 1935 in Dauphin, Manitoba
Olga - bom 21 May 1916 in Kalinovo, Memrik Colony, married twice,
lived in Saskatchewan and British Columbia
Martha (Wiens) - born 26 February 1928, adopted daughter
Not sure how long the family lived in Millerovo, but likely moved there after 1916
Father Franz died 10 December 1920 in Millerovo
Janzen, Johann A
Bom about 1847
Immigrated to Canada on 29 May 1925, with daughter Maria Redekopp, settling in
Edmonton, Alberta
Klassen, Abraham Gerhard
Bom 12 March 1883 in Rosenthal, Chortitza
Parents Gerhard Klassen and Helena Dyck
Married Helena Epp 20 April 1910
She was bom 23 March 1883 in Gruenfeld
Her parents were Cornelius C Epp and Helena Hiebert
Had 5 children:
Helena - bom 10 July 1912 in Millerovo
Abraham was a farmer
Exiled to Siberia in 1937, died 1938
Wife Helena lived in Miloradovka, Ekaterinoslav Province in May of 1942
She died 1975 in Russia
Klassen, Bernhard Peter
Bom 20 July 1887 in Sergeyevka, Fuerstenland Colony
Parents Peter Klassen and Agatha B Krahn
Married Anna Janzen
She was bom 19 January 1898 in New York, Ignatyevo Colony
Children:
Arthur - bom 22 October 1922 in Millerovo
First escaped to Germany by 1927, then to Canada by 1950
Anna - bom 26 July 1924 in Millerovo
First escaped to Germany, then to Canada by 1952
Agatha - bom 26 June 1926 in Millerovo
To Canada by 1952
Bernhard - bom 22 March 1928 in Zaporozhye, South Russia
Peter - born 9 February 1936 in Zaporozhye, South Russia
The Klassen family lived in Millerovo at least from 1922 to 1926
Moved to Zaporozhye by 1928, and lived there until at least 1936
At least 2 of the children escaped to Germany in the 1920s
At least 3 of the children were in Canada by the early 1950s
Bernhard died 16 March 1942 in South Russia
277
Klassen, David Johann
One of the first Mennonites to settle in Millerovo in the spring of 1903
Was seeking better business opportunity for a flour mill
One of five initial partners to establish a steam-powered mill in Millerovo. The others were
Wilhelm Isaak Dyck, Wilhelm J Friesen, Johann Nickel, and J Siemens. All but
Dyck and Friesen soon dropped out of the partnership
Assisted Wilhelm Isaak Dyck in the leadership of the MB Church
Klassen, David Johann
Bom 10 August 1881 in Varvarovka, Ekaterinoslav
Zentralschule and Teachers College in Chortitza; private tutor in Kherson probably 2 years
Summer of 1903 baptized in Nikolayevka
Offered teaching position in Millerovo in 1904, boarded in home of Wilhelm Isaak Dyck
Married Katharina Dyck, daughter of Wilhelm Dyck on 26 June 1905
She was bom 24 December 1886 in Nikolaifeld
David probably continued teaching
Moved to Kantemirovka in 1909 to start his own flour mill, possibly continued teaching
During World War I, starting in 1914, served in the Anadoler Forstei
Back to Kantemirovka a few years, then back to Millerovo
Fled to the Kuban with the extended DeFehr/Dyck family in December 1919
Taught in the Kuban for 2>Vi years
Immigrated to Canada in 1924, to Hepburn, Coaldale in 1927, Yarrow BC in 1941
Ordained as minister in Coaldale in 1937
Children:
Wilhelm - likely bom in Millerovo, died in infancy
Johann - likely bom in Millerovo, died in infancy
Maria - likely bom in Millerovo, died at age 5 during World War I
Katharina - born 4 October 1909 in Kantemirovka
Elisabeth - bom 21 January 1914 in Kantemirovka
David - bom 5 September 1916, probably in Kantemirovka, possibly in Millerovo
Agatha - bom 25 October 1921 in the Kuban
Anna - bom in Hepburn, Saskatchewan
Helena - bom in Coaldale, Alberta, died in infancy
Jacob - bom in Coaldale, Alberta, died in infancy
Father David died 1977 in Yarrow, BC, Katharina in 1984; they had been married 72 years
Klassen, Heinrich
Probably part owner of “A A Defehr and Sons” in 1917
Klassen, Jakob
Married Katharina Abram DeFehr 22 January 1912
Katharina was bom 13 September 1883 in Kronsweide
Parents Abram Abram DeFehr (Sr) and Helena Peters
The family moved to Petrovka in 1888; here she went to school and spent her youth
Was converted at the age of 18 and joined the Mennonite Brethren Church
Taught Sunday School and sang in the choir
278
Moved to Millerovo with her parents 1906 or 1907
Children:
Franz - born 1913, killed in an accident 1936
Johann
Erna
Susanna (Suse)
Katharina (Kay)
Helena - bom in Mexico
The exact dates of births of the children are not known
Jakob probably worked in and was part owner of the mill of his father-in-law,
“A A DeFehr and Sons”
Father-in-law saved his life by paying 10,000 rubles to the Communists during the
Russian Civil War
Fled to the Kuban with the extended DeFehr/Dyck family in December 1919
After a difficult journey immigrated to Mexico in 1924, then to Canada in 1926
Lived in Winnipeg 15 years, then moved to St Catherines, Ontario
Jakob died 24 October 1948, Katharina died 12 March 1975
Klassen, Peter Abraham
Bom 1890 in Kleefeld, Molotschna
Parents Abraham Abraham Klassen and Cornelia Toews
Came to Millerovo to work as a bookkeeper in 1914
Died 1922 of typhus
Krause, Anna (Nut)
Bom about 1885
On Millerovo picnic picture of about 1915
Kroeker, Dietrich Peter (see also Melitopol page 237)
Bom about 1880
Probably was a Sanilaeter working on Hospital Train No 163 during World War I
Wife Katharina - born about 1891
Children:
Dietrich - bom about 1913
Alexander - born about 1920
Katharina - bom about 1922
Justina - bom about 1897, a relative
Immigrated to Canada in 1924, settling in Rosthem, Saskatchewan
Kroeker, Johann Johann
Immigrated to North America some time before 1922
Cousin Peter Peter Kroeker of Melitopol requested a food draft from him through the
pages of the Mermonitische Rundschau in 1922
Krueger, Mr
Wife Mrs Krueger
Son Bernhard bom 16 January 1921 in Millerovo
He was registered as living at Sobomaya 1, Berdyansk in 1942
279
Loewen, Elisabeth
Bom about 1881
Children:
Johann - bom about 1904
Luise - bom about 1908
Emilia - bom about 1910
Nikolai - bom about 1911
Jakob - bom about 1912
Margaretha - born about 1915
Immigrated to Canada in 1924, settling in Rosthem, Saskatchewan
Loewen, Wilhelm
Bom 18 May 1869, second of 7 children
Parents Wilhelm Loewen and Anna Dueck
Married, probably 6 children
Wilhelm died in Millerovo in 1920, leaving his widow with children
Widow Wilhelm Loewen
(7 people, therefore she likely had 6 children)
Received part of a food package from American Mennonite Relief in July 1922
Martens, Johann Johann
Bom 1893
Father Minister Johann Martens of Sergeyevka
Together with his brother Wilhelm Johann Martens was offered financial help by Wilhelm
Isaak Dyck to attend Zentralschule, probably about 1910-1914
Brother Wilhelm then worked in the mill of Wilhelm Dyck as a bookkeeper for several
years, likely starting in 1914, to repay the loan
Martens, Kornelius Jakob
(see biography of Kornelius Jakob Martens)
Bom 23 April 1876 in the Baratov Colony
Parents Jakob Martens and Susanna Klassen
Married Maria Dyck on 6 June 1902
Her parents were Wilhelm Isaak Dyck and Emilie Poetker
Moved to Millerovo, likely at the same time as his father-in-law Wilhelm Isaak Dyck
Together with brother-in-law Cornelius Abram DeFehr established an agricultural
machinery factory in 1904.
Cornelius DeFehr was the business manager, Martens the engineer and production manager
Wilhelm Isaak Dyck became one of the owners in 1909
Children:
Maria - bom 23 August 1903, likely in Millerovo, married Jakob Schulz, an engineer
at the Martens/DeFehr factory, 5 children, immigrated to Canada after
World War II, died 5 July 1995
Susanna (Suse) - bom 30 August 1905 in Millerovo, married Johann Johann Unruh
on 29 May 1926 in the Kuban, 5 children, immigrated to Canada in 1928,
died 13 June 1997 in Winnipeg
280
Elisabeth - bom 19 October 1907 in Millerovo, died 11 November 1907 in Millerovo
Katharina - bom 1 January 1909 in Millerovo, died 25 January 1909 in Millerovo
Helena - bom 29 March 1910 in Millerovo, married Peter Johann Unruh in Kuban
in 1928, stayed in Russia, 2 children, were eventually able to get to Germany
Wilhelm - bom 24 December 1911, in Millerovo, escaped to Canada with father in
1927, to Paraguay in 1938, married Luise P Rahn 7 January 1939 in Paraguay,
9 children, immigrated to Canada in 1954, successful contractor, died
12 November 1990 in Winnipeg
Kornelius - bom 8 March 1915 in Millerovo, died 20 March 1915 in Millerovo
Komelius involved in evangelizing Russians in the areas where he lived, but also beyond
Leader of the Russian Baptist Church in Millerovo; wife Maria was also involved
Komelius fled from Russia with his son Wilhelm in 1927, leaving Maria and his daughters
Maria was imprisoned for 4 years; Komelius was able to get her to Germany in 1936
Komelius and Maria each wrote about their experiences
Komelius continued to evangelize among the Russians in Western Europe and North America
Maria died 1 July 1961 of complications of diabetes
Komelius died 17 June 1974, also in Winnipeg
Martens, Wilhelm Johann
Bom 12 May 1898
Father Minister Johann Martens of Sergeyevka
Together with his brother Johann Johann Martens was offered financial help by Wilhelm
Isaak Dyck to attend Zentralschule, probably about 1910-1914
Wilhelm then worked in the mill of Wilhelm Dyck as a bookkeeper for several years,
likely starting in 1914, to repay the loan
Wilhelm then went on to become a teacher
Neufeld, Franz
Worked as mechanic in the flour mill of Wilhelm Isaak Dyck
On one occasion tried to break into the office safe
Was a Communist Party man
In 1921 employed in a bank in Millerovo
Being jealous, he falsely accused Franz DeFehr and a Russian employee of wrongdoing
They were incarcerated in the GPU prison, and were only rescued through the efforts
of Cornelius Abram DeFehr
Nickel, Jakob
Originally bookkeeper in Froese mill in Barvenkovo
Was a minister
Owner of a large flour mill in Millerovo, valued at 10,000 rubles in 1908
Nickel, Jakob Johann
Uncle of Dietrich Peter Kroeker, residing in Melitopol in April of 1922
Immigrated to North America sometime before 1922
Nickel, Johann
One of the first five Mennonite settlers in Millerovo in the spring of 1903
Was seeking better business opportunity for a flour mill
281
One of the original partners, with Wilhelm Isaak Dyck, Wilhelm J Friesen, David J Klassen
and J Siemens in the building of a flour mill in 1903
Soon dropped out as a partner in the mill, leaving Wilhelm Dyck and Wilhelm Friesen
as the principal owners
Paetkau, J
Minister of the MB Church in 1927
Reported on the harvest festival conducted in the MB Church
Pauls, Jakob
Engineer
Refugee in Germany as of February 1921, at Goltzstrasse 36, Berlin
Pauls, Kornelius Kornelius
Bom 26 May 1884 in Kronsthal, Chortitza Colony
Parents Kornelius Pauls and Agatha Zacharias
Anna Isaak, who lost 4 children by drowning 18 June 1926, was the sister of Kornelius
Married Paula Pauls about 1910
She was bom about 1880
Children:
Katharina - bom about 1910
Johann - born about 1912, was also swimming with the Isaak children 18 June 1926,
but did not drown, because he could actually swim
Kornelius - bom about 1915
Kornelius died in 1920 in Millerovo
Wife Paula lived in Millerovo in 1926, and was visited by Widow Isaak and 5 children
in June of 1926, when the 4 children drowned
Penner, Heinrich
Owner of an agricultural implement repair shop in operation in 1912
Penner, Helena Abram
Bom 10 December 1875 in Einlage, Chortitza
Parents Abram Abram DeFehr and Helena Peters
Moved to Kronsweide 1883, Petrovka 1888
Married Widower Franz Janzen, who had 4 daughters, in 1900; moved to Millerovo in 1905
Husband participated in the building of, and was part owner of the A A DeFehr flour mill
Franz Janzen died 25 August 1911 in Millerovo
Helena married Widower Johann Penner 2 January 1914 in Millerovo
Not sure where they lived
He was from Schoenau, Sagradovka
Johann had 2 sons, Abraham and Heinrich
Immigrated to Canada in 1925, lived in Laird, Mulliger, Gem
Johann died in Gem August 1938
Helena was in nursing home in Coaldale, died 29 August 1970 in Medicine Hat, Alberta
Penner, Johann
(could be the same Johann Penner who assisted Wilhelm Isaak Dyck in the MB Church)
Bom 22 June 1864 in Chortitza Colony
282
Married Katharina Dyck
She was bom 11 December 1865 in Rosenthal, Chortitza
Parents Peter Gerhard Dyck and Elisabeth Pries
Baptized 28 May 1884 in Chortitza, Chortitza Colony
Daughter Katharina, fifth of 9 children, was bom 21 July 1901 in Apanlee, near the
Molotschna
She joined the Millerovo MB Church 21 July 1919
Married Alexander Johann Fast, teacher at a private school in 1921
Immigrated to Canada In 1925
Family moved to Millerovo in 1909, where Johann was the principal of a private school
(likely the MB school)
Mother Katharina died 11 October 1924 in Millerovo
Johann died 15 February 1925 in Millerovo
Penner, Johann
Assisted Wilhelm Isaak Dyck in the leadership of the Millerovo MB Church
Together with Wilhelm Dyck represented the Millerovo congregation at the MB Convention
held in Spat, Crimea 17-18 May 1913
Peters, Johann Franz
Bom about 1875
Children:
Heinrich - bom about 1909
Margaretha - bom about 1910
Relative Franz - bom about 1904
Immigrated to Canada in 1924, settling in Rosthem, Saskatchewan
Peters, Maria Abram
Bom 16 February 1887 in Kronsweide
Parents Abram Abram DeFehr (Sr) and Helena Peters
Moved to Petrovka in 1888, the to Millerovo 1906 or 1907
Married David Georg Peters in 1909
He was bom in 1883
They probably lived in Neuendorf (Shirokaya), Chortitza
6 children:
Surviving her in Canada were: (ages from the immigration list)
Susanna - bom about 1911, married an Epp
Helena - bom about 1912
Heinrich - bom about 1914
Maria - bom about 1915, married a Harder
Valentin - bom about 1919
Immigrated to Canada in 1922, first lived in Didsbury, Alberta
Her mother, Helena DeFehr, stayed with her until she died in 1931
Husband David died 20 March 1947
Moved to Matsqui, British Columbia in 1949
Joined the MB Church in 1953
283
In 1973 moved to Calgary with her daughter Helena
Died 9 February 1979 in Calgary, Alberta
Peters, Maria Jakob
Bom about 1877
Children:
David - bom about 1906
Peter - bom about 1913
Nikolai - bom about 1916
Elsa - born about 1918
Anna - bom about 1922
Immigrated to Canada in 1924, settling in Rosthem, Saskatchewan
Poetker, Gerhard
Married Elisabeth Koop
Lived in Tiege, Sagradovka, then Alexanderkrone, Molotschna, then Alexanderheim,
Barnaul Colony, then with the encouragement of son-in-law Wilhelm Isaak Dyck
moved to Millerovo and was employed by him
Children: (likely not all are listed)
Emilie - bom 17 December 1874 in Tiege, Sagradovka
Baptized in Alexanderheim 26 June 1891
Married Wilhelm Isaak Dyck 19 July 1897
Paul - bom 21 August 1887 in Alexanderkrone (see separate listing)
In 1916-1917 owned 2 shares of the Russisch-Amerikanische Muellerei Gesellschaft
Poetker, Paul Gerhard
Bom 21 August 1887 in Alexanderkrone
Parents Gerhard Poetker and Elisabeth Koop
Younger brother of Emilie Dyck, wife of Wilhelm Isaak Dyck
Married Helena Pauls 13 June 1913 in Reinfeld
Her parents were Daniel Franz Pauls and Katharina Braun
Children:
Helena Hildegard - bom 11 October 1915 in Millerovo, married John Edward Janz
25 November 1945, 6 children, died in 1992
Paul Edward - bom 18 November 1916 in Millerovo, married Maria Dueck
7 November 1948, 7 children
Heinrich Paul - bom 17 March 1918 in Millerovo, married Amanda Hulda Lepp
25 July 1948 in Dalmeny, Saskatchewan, 5 children, the last 4 bom in India
Amalia Katharina - bom 26 October 1919 in Millerovo, married John Baerg
18 August 1940 in Coaldale, Alberta, 9 children, died in 1995 in
Red Deer, Alberta
Daniel Werner - bom 26 July 1923 in Alexanderkrone, Molotschna
Komelia (Nellie) Louise - bom 28 December 1926 in Herbert, Saskatchewan
Elisabeth Heide - bom 6 March 1931 in Saskatchewan
The Poetker family moved to Millerovo as early as 1915
In 1916-1917 Paul owned VA shares of the Russisch-Anierikanisch Muellerei Gesellschaft
284
Lived in Millerovo until at least 1919, then moved to Alexanderkrone, then to Herbert,
Saskatchewan by 1926
Paul died 6 February 1971 in Clearbrook, British Columbia
Prieb, Heinrich
4 people, therefore likely wife and 2 children
Received part of a food package from the American Mennonite Relief in July of 1922
Ratzlaff, Bernhard
Bom 1895
On 1915 picnic picture; on 1917 picture with friends Franz DeFehr and Heinrich DeFehr
Died 1969
Ratzlaff, Erich
Bom 17 May 1890 in Deutsch Wymyschle, Prussia
Parents Peter Ratzlaff and Wilhelmine Prochnau
Older brother of Gustov
Married Martha Janzen 22 September 1912 in Millerovo
She was bom 15 May 1892 in Osterwick, Chortitza Colony
After the wedding the couple returned to Deutsch Wymyschle
Moved to Millerovo from Deutsch Wymyschle probably at the same time as the Leonhard
Ratzlaff family, in late 1913
Children:
Helena - bom 2 August 1913 in Deutsch Wymyschle, died 22 October 1914
in Millerovo
Peter - bom 20 October 1914 in Millerovo, back to Deutsch Wymyschle in 1918,
married Frieda Pauls in 1936, 4 children, drafted during World War II,
immigrated to Canada in 1948, died 8 February 2002 in Coaldale, Alberta
Wilhelmine - bom 24 April 1916 in Millerovo, back to Deutsch Wymyschle in 1918,
married Leonhard Schmidt in 1939, 4 children, immigrated to Canada
by 1951, died 19 November 2001 in Abbotsford, British Columbia
Gustav - bom 15 November 1918 in Deutsch Wymyschle
Franz - bom 4 December 1919 in Wonsosz, Prussia
Bernhard - bom 18 September 1921 in Wonsosz, Prussia
Frieda - bom 9 April 1926 in Wonsosz, Prussia
Hilda - bom 15 September 1933 in Wonsosz, Prussia
The family moved from Millerovo back to Deutsch Wymyschle in 1918, then to Wonsosz,
Prussia, where they stayed until at least 1933
Family members reached Canada after World War II, many settling in Alberta
Ratzlaff, Gustav
Bom 3 September 1892 in Deutsch Wymyschle, Prussia
Parents Peter Ratzlaff and Wilhemine Prochnau
Younger brother of Erich; on 1915 picnic picture
Married Maria Janzen 15 September 1918 in Millerovo
She was bom 29 December 1897 in Osterwick, Chortiza Colony
Children:
285
Gustav - bom 26 December 1919 in Millerovo, died 28 February 1922 in Millerovo
Wilhemine - bom 6 June 1922 in Millerovo, to Deutsch Wymyschle with family
after 1922, to Canada after World War II, married Heinrich Schroeder
16 January 1954 in Arnold, British Columbia, 1 daughter, died 1 May 1968
in Vancouver, British Columbia
Ema - bom 24 August 1927 in Deutsch Wymyschle
Gustav - bom 19 March 1931 in Deutsch Wymyschle
Herbert - bom 9 September 1937 in Deutsch Wymyschle
Bernhard - bom 28 March 1939 in Deutsch Wymyschle
Father Gustav came to Millerovo about 1913, married in 1918, staying in Millerovo until
some time after 1922
The family then moved to Deutsch Wymyschle, living there until at least 1939
By 1951 many had immigrated to Canada, living in Alberta and British Columbia
Ratzlaff, Leonhard Peter
Bom 18 January 1898
Married Anna Wohlgemuth on 20 April 1898 in Deutsch Wymyschle, Prussia
She was bom 25 August 1875
Her parents were Heinrich Wohlgemuth and Julianna Voth
Leonhard was a musician, director of a choir
Moved from Deutsch Wymyschle, Prussia, to Millerovo in 1913 with 4 children, then in 1918
moved back to Deutsch Wymyschle
Children:
Leonhard - bom 23 January 1899 in Deutsch Wymyschle, died 5 September 1904
in Deutsch Wymyschle
Anna - bom 2 August 1902 in Deutsch Wymyschle, died 10 September 1904 in
Deutsch Wymyschle
Bernhard - bom 14 December 1904 in Deutsch Wymyschle, died 25 January 1916
in Millerovo
Richard - bom 19 March 1908 in Deutsch Wymyschle, 1929 immigrated to Canada,
married Martha Kliewer, 5 children, died 14 April 1967 in Vancouver
Hulda - bom 24 December 1909 in Deutsch Wymyschle, married Erhard Ratzlaff,
4 children, stayed in Deutsch Wymyschle during World War II, immigrated
to Canada some time before 1949
Erich - bom 8 August 1911 in Deutsch Wymyschle, married Lydia Ratzlaff,
6 children, stayed in Prussia/Poland during World War II, immigrated to
Canada in 1948, was editor of the Mennonitische Rundschau , wrote
1m Weichselbogen , the story of the Mennonites in central Poland, and
£7/7 Lehen fuer den Herrn, a biography of Minister D B Wiens, who pioneered
radio-evangelism in the Soviet Union, Erich died 18 October 1988 in
Clearbrook, British Columbia
Anna - bom 22 March 1913 in Deutsch Wymyschle, died 22 June 1913 in
Deutsch Wymyschle
Maria - bom 1 August 1918 in Deutsch Wymyschle, married David Ratzlaff,
286
4 children, stayed in Deutsch Wymyschle during World War II, immigrated
to Canada after the war
Redekopp, Benjamin
Bom about 1902-1905
On a Millerovo picnic picture of 1915
Redekopp, Karl K
Bom about 1882
Wife Margaretha - bom about 1897
Children:
Eduard - bom about 1923
Selma - bom about 1923 (possibly twins?)
Immigrated to Canada, landing 29 May 1925, settling in Edmonton, Alberta
Redekopp, Peter Karl
Bom about 1882
Wife Maria Janzen - bom about 1887
Immigrated to Canada, landing 29 May 1925, settling in Edmonton, Alberta
Reimer, Mr
Wife Mrs Reimer
Son Johann L - bom 24 June 1909 in Bluinenort Sagradovka
Family then moved to Sergeyevka, Fuerstenland Colony, then to Millerovo, then to
Osterwick, Chortitza Colony
Immigrated to Canada in 1923, settling in Herbert, Saskatchewan
Rempel, Abram
Assisted Wilhelm Isaak Dyck in the leadership of the MB Church
In 1919 succeeded Wilhelm Dyck as leader of the church when the Dyck family fled
to the Kuban in 1919
Remained as leader until at least 1923
Rempel, Abram Dietrich
Possibly the same person as the Abram Rempel who was the church leader 1919-1923
Bom about 1878
Wife Susanna - bom about 1889
Children:
Anna - bom about 1911
Lydia - bom about 1912
Susanna - bom about 1915
Maria - bom about 1916
Johann - bom about 1919
Katharina (10 mo) - bom about 1923
Immigrated to Canada in 1924, settling in Herbert, Saskatchewan
Rempel, Johann Gerhard
Bom 8 September 1878 in Rosenthal, Chortitza Colony
Married Justina Riediger 17 November 1901
She was bom 1 December 1882 in Chortitza, Chortitza Colony
287
Johann was an engineer in the “Martens, DeFehr and Dyck Machine Factory”
Children:
Katharina - bom 22 September 1902 in Chortitza
Susanna - bom 22 September 1902 in Chortitza
Johann (Ivan) - bom 24 September 1905 in Chortitza
Peter - bom 28 November 1909 in New York, Ignatyevo Colony
Cornelius - bom 1912 in Millerovo, died 13 January 1994 in Kitchener, Ontario
Rempel, Kornelius Gerhard
Bom 11 August 1882 in Rosenthal, Chortitza
Parents Gerhard Gerhard Rempel and Katharina Andres
Mother died when he was 3, father when he was 6
He inherited his father’s factory, and worked there for some time
Married Helena Dyck 10 January 1908
She was born 25 October 1882 in Rosenthal
Her parents were Peter Gerhard Dyck and Katharina Pries
Children:
Helena - bom 3 November 1908 in Chortitza, Chortitza, moved to Millerovo,
immigrated to Canada in 1924, married Johann Reimer, both died in
Kitchener, Ontario
Katharina - bom 28 November 1911 in Millerovo, immigrated to Canada in 1924,
married Isaak Kornelius Epp 11 October 1936 in Kitchener, Ontario,
Katharina died 29 April 1989 in Kelowna, British Columbia
Isaak died 22 August 1998, also in Kelowna
After Kornelius Rempel was married in 1908 he worked as a bookkeeper for a factory
in Chortitza, then in Millerovo
In 1914 he entered the Forsteidienst, then worked at an office in Moscow
After 4 years of service he returned to Millerovo
Wife Helena died of typhus in Millerovo 18 January 1920
Kornelius married Katharina Martens 19 September 1920
Moved from Millerovo to Sagradovka in 1921
Immigrated to Canada in 1924, first staying in Herbert, Saskatchewan, then moving to
Kitchener, Ontario in 1926
Kornelius died 15 October 1946, Katharina died 22 October 1954
Rempel, Widow Peter
4 people, therefore presumably 3 children
Received part of a food package from American Mennonite Relief in July 1922
Rempel, Susanna
Bom about 1892
Children:
Elisabeth - bom about 1913
Peter - bom about 1916
Heinrich - bom about 1917
Immigrated to Canada in 1924, settling in Rosthem, Saskatchewan
288
Riediger, Jakob
Sanitaeter working on Hospital Train no 163 during World War I
Riediger, Jakob Peter
Bom 1 February 1883 in Alexanderkrone, Molotschna
Parents Peter P Riediger and Katharina Derksen
Baptized 2 August 1908
Married Helena Dyck 23 August 1909
She was bom 20 April 1891 in Reinfeld
Parents Wilhelm Isaak Dyck and Maria Riediger
She was baptized 2 August 1908
Jakob was a university-trained engineer, job application was accepted by Wilhelm Dyck
Jakob was sent to Germany to learn the engineering of milling, the worked as an engineer
in the mill of Wilhelm Dyck
Served in the Sanitaetsdienst during World War 1
1916-1917 owned 2 shares of the Russisch-Amerikanische Muellerei Gesellschaft
Children:
Katharina - born 30 September 1910 in Millerovo, died 2 May 1913 in Millerovo
Wilhelm - bom 31 August 1912 in Millerovo
Jakob - bom 29 November 1918 in Millerovo
Helena - bom 29 November 1918 in Millerovo
Cornelius - bom 30 September 1923 in Millerovo
Abram - bom 2 August 1927 in Morden, Manitoba
Esther - bom 14 November 1930 in Morden, Manitoba
Seem to have moved around for the sake of safety, but probably stayed in the Millerovo
region during the Russian Civil War and the Communist takeover
Immigrated to Canada on 14 November 1924, arriving in Hepburn Saskatchewan, then
moved to Gnadenthal where the Wilhelm Dyck family was located
Eventually moved to Morden, Manitoba by 1927, the last 2 children being bom there
Father Jakob died 23 April 1950, and mother Helena died 26 September 1966, both in Morden
Riediger, Peter
Probably moved to Millerovo at the encouragement of Wilhelm Isaak Dyck
Was not the father of Jakob Peter Riediger
Became a major shareholder in the milling company Russisch-Amerikanische Muellerei
Gesellschaft , 1916-1917 owning 11 of the 48 shares
Sawadsky, Heinrich
Wife Elisabeth Rempel
Children:
Maria - bom 14 November 1899, to Millerovo in 1911 and likely stayed there until she
immigrated to Canada with 2 younger brothers in the autumn of 1924, married
Bernhard C Schellenberg in the autumn of 1925, 3 children, lived in Demaine,
Main Centre, then in 1961 retired to Swift Current, Saskatchewan,
died 30 January 1983
Louise - bom 1905 in Samara, to Millerovo in 1911, likely staying there until at least
289
1924, stayed in Russia, married Mitrifan Sargenko in 1930, 3 children,
1943, with the children, fled westward with the retreating German Army,
1945 with sister Anna in Germany, 1950 immigrated to Canada, died
25 July 1978 in Vancouver, British Columbia
Anna (Nutya) - in Germany by 1945
Johann (Hans) - immigrated to Canada with elder sister Maria in 1924
Heinrich (Heinz) - immigrated to Canada with elder sister Maria in 1924
6 other children
The family moved to Millerovo in 1911, where father Heinrich was a teacher in a new school
Heinrich died in 1919, leaving his wife a widow with 11 children
11 people, presumably wife Elisabeth with 10 children received part of a food package
from the American Mennonite Relief in July 1922
Three of the family, Maria with 2 younger brothers, Johann and Heinrich, immigrated to
Canada in 1924
The rest likely stayed in Russia
Sawatzky, A
At the ordination service of Wilhelm Isaak Dyck on 11 May 1914, Sunday School pupil
A Sawatzky gave a very convincing talk, asking people to be generous in their giving
in the following collection. It, however, amounted to only 65 rubles
Sawatzky, Maria
Bom about 1900
Brother Heinrich - bom about 1903
Brother Johann - bom about 1909
Immigrated to Canada in 1924, settling in Manitoba
Schroeder, Peter Peter
Bom 15 August 1876 in Kleefeld, Molotschna
Parents Peter Peter Schroeder and Maria Dick
Lived in Kleefeld as a child, then in his youth the family moved to Muensterberg
He married Anna Braun 20 April 1902 in Kara Tschakmak, Crimea
She was born 26 April 1879 in Schoenthal
Her parents were Peter Braun and Elisabeth Fast
Children:
One son died as a child
Elisabeth (Liese) - bom 16 June 1903 in Muensterberg, Molotschna, 1914 moved
moved to Millerovo, married Peter Baerg 28 August 1924 in Alexanderfeld,
Kuban, immigrated to Canada in 1925
Peter - bom 3 September 1905 in Muensterberg, Molotschna, 1914 moved to
Millerovo, immigrated to Canada in 1925, married Elisabeth Wall
6 August 1933 in Culross, Manitoba, Elisabeth died 3 July 1993 in
Clearbrook, British Columbia, Peter died 16 December 2003, also in
Clearbrook, British Columbia
Maria - bom 8 December 1907 in Mensterberg, Molotschna, 1914 moved to
Millerovo, immigrated to Canada in 1925, married Jakob Jakob Wall
290
29 June 1932 in Elm Creek, Manitoba, 7 children all bom in Culross
Manitoba
Anna - bom 16 November 1911, in Muensterberg, Molotschna, 1914 moved to
Millerovo, immigrated to Canada in 1925, married Nikolai Jakob Dick
30 August 1933 in Culross, Manitoba, 5 children, the eldest of whom is
Eleanore (Esau)
Heinrich - bom 6 December 1913 in Muensterberg, Molotschna, 1914 moved to
Millerovo, immigrated to Canada in 1925, married Katharina (Tina) Penner
28 July 1935 in Springstein, Manitoba, 2 children
Gerhard - bom 16 September 1915 in Millerovo, immigrated to Canada in 1925,
married Helena Neufeld 27 May 1950, 3 children,
Gerhard died 13 September 1998 in Winnipeg, Canada
Cornelius - born 10 December 1917 in Millerovo, immigrated to Canada in 1925,
married Anna Martens, 28 September 1947, 5 children
Martha - bom 12 October 1920 in the Kuban, immigrated to Canada in 1925,
married Peter Jakob Hildebrandt 26 October 1955, 1 son
Schroeder family first lived in Muensterberg; it is quite probable that Peter owned a
motor-driven flour mill during this time
The mill was evaluated at 3,700 mbles in 1908
In 1914 the family moved to Millerovo
In Millerovo Peter owned the Schroeder Flour Mill and the Schroeder Oil Mill together
with brothers-in-law Komelius Braun (brother of his wife) and Jakob Hildebrandt
(not certain where the brothers-in-law lived but likely in Millerovo)
In 1909 they fled to Jesk, a port city on the Sea of Azov
After 6 months they returned home
In another 6 months they fled to the Kuban
The whole family, including Elisabeth with husband Peter Baerg, immigrated to Canada
in April of 1925, first settling in Plum Coulee, then 4 years later they moved to
Elm Creek, Manitoba
Peter retired in 1947, and the couple moved to Winnipeg
Peter died 4 June 1967, Anna died 26 December 1975, both in Winnipeg, Manitoba
The mill buildings in Millerovo still stood in 2000, and appeared to be operating
Siemens, J
One of the first five Mennonite settlers in Millerovo in the spring of 1903
Was seeking better business opportunity for a flour mill
One of the original partners, with Wilhelm Isaak Dyck, Wilhelm J Friesen, David J Klassen
and Johann Nickel in the building of a flour mill in 1903
Soon dropped out as a partner in the mill, leaving Wilhelm Dyck and Wilhelm Friesen
as the principal owners
Steltz, J
Received part of a food package from American Mennonite Relief in July 1922
Sudermann, Aron
Sanitaeter working on Hospital Train No 163 during World War 1
291
Thiessen, David Abram
Bom about 1881
Wife Helena - bom about 1884
Children:
David - bom about 1911
Wilhelmina - bom about 1913
Anna - bom about 1917
Immigrated to Canada in 1924, settling in Rosthem, Saskatchewan
Thiessen, Erna Peter
Bom about 1880
Children: David - bom about 1913; Irma - bom about 1916
Immigrated to Canada in 1924, settling in Rosthem Saskatchewan
Thiessen (Tiessen), H
Previously labourer, by 1925 appointed manager of the Martens, DeFehr and Dyck factory
Unger, Abram
4 people, therefore presumably wife and 2 children
Received part of a food package from American Mennonite Relief in July 1922
Unrau, Heinrich Heinrich (see also Maria Unrau - Simferopol)
Married Maria Ediger 29 January 1905, 6 children
One of the owners of an agricultural implement manufacture and repair shop in operation
in 1912 “Ediger Brothers and Unrau"
Heinrich died 7 November 1919 in Millerovo, Maria died 14 December 1932 in Simferopol
Voth, Benjamin
Two people, therefore presumably also his wife
Warkentin, Heinrich Abraham
Bom about 1868
Wife Elisabeth - born about 1866
Daughter Elisabeth - bom about 1909
Immigrated to Canada in 1924, settling in Rosthem, Saskatchewan
Warkentin, Helena Nikolai
Bom about 1901
Immigrated to Canada in 1924, settling in Winkler, Manitoba
Warkentin, Peter P
Bom about 1890
Wife Agatha - bom about 1903
Immigrated to Canada in 1924, settling in Rosthem, Saskatchewan
Wiebe, Widow David
2 people, therefore presumably 1 child
Received part of a food package from American Mennonite Relief in July 1922
Wiebe, Helena Peter
Bom about 1901, immigrated to Canada in 1924, settling in Rosthem, Saskatchewan
Wiebe, Widow Johann
4 people, therefore presumably 3 children
292
Received part of a food package from American Mennonite Relief in July 1922
Wiebe, Johann
Bom 9 September 1878
Married Anna Giesbrecht
She was bom 28 October 1885
Her parents were Johann Gerhard Giesbrecht and Elisabeth Krause
Children:
Elisabeth - bom 26 February 1908 in Millerovo, immigrated to Canada in 1925,
married Gerhard Heide 17 October 1926 in Kronsgart, Manitoba,
4 children, died 28 April 1999 in Winkler, Manitoba
Wilhelm (Bill) - bom 14 May 1912 in Millerovo, immigrated to Canada in 1925,
married Gertrude Peters 10 September 1939 in Kronsgart, Manitoba,
4 children, Wilhelm died 12 March 2001 and Gertrude died 27 October 2001,
both in Abbotsford, British Columbia
Aganetha (Neta) - bom 20 February 1917 in Millerovo, married Norman Miller
Johann was bookkeeperfor the “A A DeFehr and Sons” flour mill (1910 photograph)
Johann died in 1919
Anna with 3 children immigrated to Canada in 1925, settling in Kronsgart, Manitoba
She married Johann Bernhard Friesen 23 June 1926 in Canada
Possibly had 2 more children:
Katie
Leni
Anna died 5 January 1981
Wiens, Jakob Gerhard
Bom about 1873
Wife Maria - bom about 1889
Children:
Wilhelm - bom about 1906
Franz - bom about 1910
Abram - bom about 1912
Cornelius - bom about 1913
Ivan - bom about 1916
Olga - bom about 1917
Immigrated to Canada in 1924, settling in Dalmeny, Saskatchewan
Wiens, Susanna
Bom about 1902
Brother Gerhard - bom about 1911
Immigrated to Canada, arriving in Winnipeg late 1924, then on to Dalmeny, Saskatchewan
Winter, Mr
Wife Mrs Winter
Had at least 4 sons besides Abram
Son Abram - bom 25 June 1912 in Millerovo
Married Helena Warkentin about 1937
293
Had a total of 11 childrenn, not sure how many bom in Millerovo
By 1939 living in Brazil, was baptized that year and joined the
Mennonite Church in Witmarsum
Some time before 1952 to Curitiba, Brazil
Abram died 16 February 1969 in Curitiba, Brazil
Immigration to Canada in 1924
1924 seemed to be a banner year for migration from Millerovo to Canada. At least
24 family units, consisting of 98 individuals, went directly from Millerovo to Canada.
Fourteen were complete family units, 8 were with mother only, one with father only and
the other with siblings only.
Destination in Canada was:
Rosthem, Saskatchewan - 15
Herbert, Saskatchewan - 4
Dalmeny, Saskatchewan - 2
Manitoba - 2
Besides these there were many others originally from Millerovo, living in the Kuban,
having fled there, mostly in 1919, who also immigrated in 1924. Some of these first
immigrated to Mexico in 1924, then eventually to Canada in 1926.
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The extended A A Defehr family about 1910
Back row 1 to r: Johann Penner, David Peters, Heinrich, Margaretha,
Elisabeth and Cornelius DeFehr, Abram DeFehr, Jakob Klassen
Front row: Helena Penner, Maria Peters, Helena DeFehr (nee Peters), Franz, Abram A DeFehr,
Helena DeFehr (nee Paetkau), Katharina Klassen
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Susanna and Katharina Dyck
Susanna married cousin
Wilhelm Dyck
Franz DeFehr, Bernhard Ratzlaff and
Heinrich Defehr in 1917
Katharina married David
Klassen
Millerovo with Tina Froese in the foreground
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Part of the life-story of Maria Dyck (later she married Nikolai Thiessen)
as illustrated by her grandson, cartoonist Richard Rempel
agneta ^
JANZEN
WAS 18
YEARS OLD...
THEY HAD FOUR CHILDREN OF THEIR OWN,
INCLUDING MY OLDER BROTHER
i ^ WHO DIED AS AN INFANT.
&
NICOLAI DYCK 1
i JUNIOR /
1909-1910 y
MARY -1911 MARGARET - 1912 AGNES - 1914
MENNONITES MOVED
INTO THE MILLEROVO
AREA IN 1903
BY THE TIME I WAS BORN
THEY HAD BUILT FOUR
FLOUR MILLS. A FACTORY.
A FARM IMPLEMENT
DEALERSHIP AND THREE
REPAIR BUSINESSES.
MY FATHER WORKED AS
A PURCHASER IN ONE
OF THE FLOUR MILLS.
297
Front row 1 to r mill owners A A DeFehr (Jr), A A DeFehr (Sr)
and F Janzen
at the table Mr Smutik and Johann Wiebe, bookkeeper
1910
Anna and Peter Schroeder in 1952
at their Golden Wedding Anniversary
298
Millerovo picnic about 1915
Front row 1 to r Wilhelm Dyck, Abram Klassen, Maria Janzen
Heinrich DeFehr
Second row Maria Klassen, Elisabeth and Cornelius DeFehr,
Anna (Nut) Krause, Susanna Dyck, Bernhard and Gustav Ratzlaff,
Benjamin Redekopp
Helena (nee Paetkau) and Abram
DeFehr1906
Katharina (nee DeFehr) and
Jakob Klassen 1912
299
MENNONITE INSTITUTIONS
Mennonite Brethren Church
Affiliated with the Einlage, Chortitza Mennonite Brethren congregation, from which most of
the settlers came. They shared an elder with the Einlage congregation for some time
A group of businessmen arrived in Millerovo in the spring of 1903, and immediately
selected a place for a church; they built a frame structure with a seating capacity of
40-50. Then organized an MB Church under the leadership of Wilhelm Isaak Dyck
Constructed a new beautiful brick church building by 1906
Possibly at first school was held in the church building, later a large addition was constructed
at the rear of the building, and this became the school
The building was shared by the entire German community, including some members of the
Mennonite Church, Baptists and Lutherans
Conducted all the services in High German
Membership did not exceed 140
Had a good Sunday School and a large choir
Franz Franz Isaak lived in Millerovo 1906-1908, and was active in the church.
Despite moving to neighbouring Glubokaya to establish a milling business, he was
ordained as a minister by the Millerovo church in 1910. He was a representative of
the Millerovo church, together with Wilhelm Dyck, at an MB convention in 1918
Baptismal service was held 20 July 1908 in which there were 9 candidates. A number of
members of the “Committee for the Evangelization of Russia” were present because of
a meeting they were going to have 21 July; some also served by preaching. Franz Isaak
reported on the day in the Friedensstimme , and wished the newly baptized members
God’s blessing and protection.
Leader Wilhelm Dyck was ordained as elder 11 October 1914 by Elders Gerhard Regehr of
Reinfeld and Komelius Fehr of Orenburg. A Sunday School pupil, A Sawatzky, gave an
inspiring talk encouraging generous giving for the collection, although it only amounted
to 65 rubles
Wilhelm Dyck was assisted in his work by David Johann Klassen, Johann Penner and Abram
Rempel
Itinerant ministers visited Millerovo. Elder Herman Neufeld listed Millerovo, Barvenkovo,
Borissovo and Memrik for 1915
J J Nickel listed as a deacon in 1913
Abram Rempel succeeded Wilhelm Dyck as leader in 1919 when the Dyck family fled to the
Kuban, staying in that position until 1923
Rempel and his family immigrated to Canada in 1924
On 3 July 1922 Abram Rempel as leader, and Aron Janzen as secretary, wrote a letter of thanks
to A Miller of American Relief in Moscow for five $10 food packets that had arrived
They were distributed among: Abram Unger (4 people), Abram Janzen (1 person)
Goertz (1 person), Heinrich Prieb (4 people), Widow Wilhelm Loewen (7 people)
Widow H Sawadsky (11 people). Widow Peter Rempel (4 people), Widow Johann
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Wiebe (4 people). Widow David Wiebe (2 people), Johann Heckmann (3 people),
Widow P Harder (1 Person), Benjamin Voth (2 people), Mrs H Guenter (3 people),
J Steltz (1 person)
It was pointed out that with the economic state of the membership, being in the worker
class, and in poor economic circumstances, at least another 20 packages would
be needed.
Among the group were 7 widows
In 1924 many of the members immigrated to Canada, quite a number arriving in Rosthem,
Saskatchewan
At the Allgemeine Mennonitische Bundeskonferenz held in Moscow 13-18 January 1925 it was
reported that the once flourishing Mennonite Brethren Church was virtually disbanded,
since most members has left because of religious persecution. Those remaining had a
deep desire for a true Christian life. There was no representative from Millerovo at the
conference
In 1927, Minister J Paetkau reported on a harvest festival at which a collection was raised
for some home missions
Mennonite Cemetery
A plot of land was given to the Mennonites as cemetery
Mennonite Church
There was a small Mennonite group which also met in Millerovo. It likely shared most
facilities and likely worship services with the MB Church
Elementary School
David Johann Klassen was invited to be a teacher 1904. He boarded in the home of Wilhelm
Isaak Dyck, and in 1905 married their daughter, Katharina Dyck
He likely continued teaching until 1909, when the Klassens moved to Kantemirovka
The Millerovo school was held in the Mennonite Brethren church building. When the new
building was constructed in 1906 a special wing was built for the school
Johann Penner was principal from 1909 on, possibly into the early 1920s
Heinrich Sawadsky was a teacher in Millerovo 1911 to 1919, likely in this school
He died in 1919
Franz Franz Isaak was likely a teacher in the school, around 1918
Alexander Johann Fast was a teacher in the school. He married the daughter of the principal,
Katharina Pemier, in 1921
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Mennonite Brethren
Church and school
Church-school complex
Rear view of church-school building in 1906
Church-school building in 1995
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MENNONITE EVENTS
The Ordination of Wilhelm Isaak Dyck as Elder
The Millerovo Mennonite Brethren Church was established about 1903, and slowly grew
over the next decade. It was an affiliate of the Einlage MB Church, being served by the same elder.
In time the Millerovo congregation felt that it should have its own elder. So it was that after the MB
Convention held in Millerovo on 9-10 May 1914, on the next day, Sunday 11 May, the ordination
service was held. There were 40 participants from beyond the local congregation; most were
ministers, eight were elders. There had been light rain the previous few days, which would help the
crops, settle the dust and clear the air. The sanctuary was decorated, the end wall with skillfully
placed flowers surrounding the Bible verses which were the mottos for the day:
“This is the day that the Lord hath made
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.”
“ O Lord, help, let it be successful.”
The day began at 8:30 AM with a prayer meeting led by Wilhelm Dyck; he based it on Psalm
95, verses 2 and 7. Many responded with praise, thanks and requests. Dyck then welcomed all
present in the name of the local congregation, of the choir and of himself personally. The choir sang
a song of greeting.
The ordination orations were delivered by Elder Gerhard Regehr of Reinfeld and Elder
Komelius Fehr of Orenburg. Elder Regehr based his message on 1 Peter 5:1-11, pointing out that
the position of elder had many Biblical promises, but there were also considerable obligations. Elder
Fehr, on the basis of John 21:15-18, emphasized that being a fisher of men required humility and
love, not strength and force. The church required an elder to function as a servant, not a king or a
general.
Elder Regehr asked Wilhelm and his wife Emilie if they could carry the burden of the
position, if they were willing to accept the call of God and the congregation. They answered, “As
God will give grace.” With the couple kneeling and the congregation standing the Elders Regehr
and Fehr fulfilled the ordination by the laying on of hands. Many present, especially fellow
ministers, greeted the couple and wished them God’s blessings.
According to the wishes of the local congregation Wilhelm Dyck was asked to preach a
sermon at this point, even though it was hoped that it could be brief. Using Psalm 18, verses 14 and
25, as a basis, Dyck emphasized that it was necessary to love people to bring them to God.
For the midday meal the guests were invited into individual homes, despite the opinion of
the correspondent who described the event, that communal meals were preferable. After a break
of one and a half hours missionary Johann Wiens told a very interesting story for the children. His
own two children, dressed in Indian costumes, joined Wiens and his wife in singing a number of
Indian songs.
A Millerovo Sunday School student, A Sawatzky, addressed the gathering, pointing out that
some people did not give generously to missions, nor happily. They were like trees that do not
produce shade, leaves or fruit; they might even be angry at those who do contribute. Despite this
convincing admonition the collection only amounted to 65 rubles.
There were two more sermons in the afternoon. The elder of the Crimea MB Church of
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Schoental portrayed the life of the Apostle Paul using Acts 20:17-18. Elder Jakob Wiens of Siberia
shared some of his experiences, pointing out that God did not appoint people to a life of happiness,
but a life of service.
The local church had in advance determined that they would ask all ministers and elders
present to participate, but restricted each talk to 10 minutes. Despite protest by some that they could
not even finish the introduction in such a short time, the event went reasonably well.
The new Elder, Wilhelm Isaak Dyck, closed the proceedings with a word borrowed from
Jacob after he had heard that Joseph was alive and well, “It is enough!” The responsibility as
outlined this day was great, but the blessings and anticipated fruit were plentiful.
The festivities were closed by the singing of “Now Thank We All Our God.”
The Escape from Millerovo
Revolution had toppled the Czarist government. After the conclusion of World War I there
was anarchy and civil war in many parts of Russia. In the Millerovo area the principal conflict was
between the Red Communist forces, and the Whites lead by the Cossacks. The Cossacks dominated
the region in early 1919, but by May the Reds were again in control. During this time a large number
of the leading citizens and businessmen of Millerovo, about 100, were arrested and imprisoned.
Some were executed; others were able to purchase their lives with huge sums of money. Jakob
Isaak, son of Chemical and Paint Factory owner Jakob Isaak, was shot when he tried to get away
without paying the ransom. Most families were displaced from their homes; for example, the C A
DeFehr family had to move into one room of a relative’s house.
When the Whites returned to power the people were allowed to return to their own homes,
to repair and operate their businesses. But the feeling was that this was only a temporary respite, so
plans were made to escape. It was felt that the Kuban area in the Caucasus Mountains was less under
the influence of the Communists, and therefore safer.
In December of 1919 some of the Mennonite businessmen were able, through the influence
of workers in the implement factory and the local Cossack officials, to shunt eight freight cars onto
the track beside the A A DeFehr mill. This was hidden from view by a high fence.
After nightfall on a cold December 7, ten families, together with whatever they could take
with them, loaded onto the freight cars. The people were: Wilhelm I Dyck with wife Emilie and
children Amalie, Wilhelm and Agathe; Jakob and Katharina Klassen; Jakob and Helena Riediger;
Abram and Helena DeFehr (Sr) with daughter Margaretha; Abram and Helena DeFehr (Jr) and five
children; Cornelius and Elisabeth DeFehr and children Elisabeth, Abram, Cornelius and Wilhelm;
Heinrich DeFehr (single); Komelius and Maria Martens and children Maria, Susanna, Helena and
Wilhelm; Jakob Schulz (engineer in the Martens, DeFehr and Dyck factory); another Jakob Klassen
family, and a number of employee families were also included.
C A DeFehr lay unconscious in bed at the time with typhoid fever, so his wife Elisabeth made
all of the arrangements for the family. The medical doctor for the implement factory was kind
enough to accompany the DeFehrs as far as Rostov to look after Cornelius.
After midnight on December 7 all had boarded, the cars were locked by the railway officials,
and they were on their way into the cold night (-30 degrees). They had left everything behind -
almost everything. C A DeFehr left 30,000 rubles in the implement factory, presumably to meet
factory expenses and payroll. Wilhelm Dyck had sold a mill for one million four hundred thousand
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rubles, taking along this ready cash to help with future expenses.
The 500 kilometres to the Kuban went through Rostov-on-Don. The usual scheduled time
to reach Rostov was 8 hours. But the circumstances were different. The rail tracks were crowded
with refugee and military trains, so quite often their freight cars were uncoupled and shunted onto
side tracks. Eventually they were able to persuade the officials to again attach their cars to military
trains to keep going. At last, after about ten days, they reached Rostov. Cornelius DeFehr’s
condition had improved, so the doctor did not need to accompany them further. Komelius Martens
got off the train at Rostov to make arrangements for his oldest daughter, Maria, to continue her
education in that city. Jakob Schulz, in the meantime, convinced mother Maria Martens that it
would not be safe to leave daughter Maria in the potentially dangerous city of Rostov, and that she
should continue on with the family. Schulz himself, together with his sister, would look after the
education. This view prevailed. It is of interest that one and a half years later Jakob married the
beautiful 17- year-old Maria.
From Rostov the remaining part of the journey to the Kuban region went without
interruption. They arrived at Bogoslavskaya, railway depot for the Mennonite settlements, on
December 19. There they were greeted and accepted into the homes of the people of Wohldemfuerst
(also known as Velikoknyazheskoye). The C A DeFehr family, for example, was hosted in the home
of Johann Komelsen.
The original hope of all involved was undoubtedly to return to Millerovo in the near future.
In 1923 Lenin was forced to proclaim a New Economic Policy which allowed some of the former
owners to reclaim their properties. C A DeFehr was in Rostov negotiating the possible return of the
implement factory when a newspaper article caught his attention. Apparently a heavy piece of
machinery was being lifted in the factory when a chain broke. The machine fell to the floor, broke
through, and revealed that underneath the owners had hidden many of their valuables. The
newspaper article describing this find exuded such hate that DeFehr concluded that it was wiser not
to proceed with further negotiations.
In time most of the Kuban refugees felt that there was no hope of returning to Millerovo.
Most stayed in the Kuban area until 1924 or 1925, and eventually immigrated to Canada.
Tragedy in Millerovo
Widow Jakob (Anna) Isaak, formerly of Millerovo, now residing in the Kuban, was visiting
her sister-in-law, Widow Komelius (Paula) Pauls. She brought her five youngest children along.
Anna had heard that it might even be possible to reclaim the house they had previously abandoned.
The older son Abram saw them off at the train station in the Kuban.
On 18 June 1926 in Millerovo it was a very warm day. The children asked Anna Isaak if they
could go swimming at a local swimming spot about two verst away. At first the mother was
reluctant, but when the eldest daughter, Agnes, assured her that she would take care of the younger
siblings, off they went.
The first to get into the water was the 12-year-old Agathe. She stepped into a hole beyond
her depth, and “went under.” Brother Peter, who could swim a bit, jumped in to save her. Finally
Agnes and Tina, neither of whom could swim, also jumped in to help. Eventually, probably because
drowning people hold onto anything nearby, all four drowned. Six-year-old Willy stood by and
watched from the shore, helpless. Eleven-year-old cousin, Johann Pauls, also in the water, did not
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drown because he could swim. Neighbouring fishermen were called, and the bodies taken out of the
water. They were loaded onto a wagon, then taken to the hospital, where, after unsuccessful attempts
at resuscitation, they were pronounced dead. The four bodies were then taken to the church
basement, placed on ice, and prepared for the funeral. The elder son, Abram, who had stayed behind
in the Kuban, was sent for. At first he could not comprehend the extent of the tragedy, not really
believing the news. He was finally convinced when he saw the bodies of his four siblings.
The funeral was held two days later, on Pentecost Sunday, June 20 at 8 AM. There was
widespread participation, with hardly a dry eye in the congregation. Text for the funeral oration was
Hosea 2:16-17. After the funeral the coffins were placed onto four wagons, and accompanied by
singing, were taken to the cemetery. All four children were buried in one grave.
This tragic event was reported in the paper Unser Blatt on October of 1926. The family was
that of Jakob Isaak, former owner of a paint and chemical factory in Millerovo. They had fled to the
Kuban, likely in late 1919, and the father died there 10 September 1925, leaving Anna a widow with
six children. After the tragedy only the eldest and the youngest remained.
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Funeral in Millerovo 20 June 1926
I Older brother Abram, II Mother of the children, III Younger
brother Wilhelm (Willy), IV Grandmother
In the coffins: 1 back Peter, 1 front Agathe, r back Tina, r front Agnes
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MENNONITE BUSINESS
Mennonites first settled in Millerovo in 1903 because of the business opportunities the
city offered. It was situated on a railway, and was surrounded by rich agricultural land. Within a
decade a considerable Mennonite business group developed. It was known as the “ Millerovo
Geschaeftsgruppe ,” with most of the businesses and many of their residences located on the
Nemezkaya Uliza or “Die Deutsche Strasse C A DeFehr mentions that in 1913 there were four
flour mills, one factory, three implement repair shops and one implement dealership.
It is somewhat peculiar that the only Millerovo business listed on the Forstei Taxation list
of 1908 is the mill owned by Jakob Nickel, yet there certainly were other flourishing enterprises
at the time. The Mennonite community of Russia had to pay for the upkeep of the Forstei
camps, so it is hoped that the Millerovo businessmen paid their fair share in some other way.
By and large the business community in Millerovo must have felt that it did not need to
advertise to Mennonites. From 1903 to 1920 only one advertisement from this group could be
found in the Christlicher Fami/ienka/ender, a full page featuring the Paint and Chemical Factory
of Jakob Isaak.
Specifically documented businesses were:
A A DeFehr and Sons
Abram Abram DeFehr (Sr) moved from Petrovka to Millerovo in 1906 or 1907
In 1907 he, together with son Abram Abram DeFehr (Jr), son-in-law Franz Janzen, and likely
son-in-law Jakob Klassen and son Heinrich, built a large three story steam-powered
flour mill. There was also a one-story administrative building
In 1910 Johann Wiebe was a bookkeeper for the mill
The mill employed son Heinrich Abram DeFehr as salesman, at which he appeared to be quite
successful
Probably part-owners by 1917 were C A Defehr, Heinrich Klassen and J Klassen
After the Civil War the Communist government expropriated the mill
Two stories were added to the main building in 1964
In 1995 the mill was still operating, but now has ceased to function
The one-story administrative building is now a bakery
Donische Gesellschaft
A Millerovo based business owned by Wilhelm Isaak Dyck, Wilhelm Friesen, Johann Nickel,
and J Siemens
The group built a fairly large mill in Millerovo in 1903, called the “Don Mill”
They also seem to have owned a steam-powered flour mill in Smolyanaya
Forstei tax assessment of the value of the mill in Smolyanaya in 1908 was 40,000 rubles
There were 3 other Mennonite owned steam-powered mills in Smolyanaya; this one was by far
the largest
Ediger Brothers and Unrau
An implement manufacturing and repair shop
Likely owned by David David Ediger, another Ediger brother (specific name not known).
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and Heinrich Heinrich Unrau
In operation in 1912
Heinrich Penner Shop
Agricultural implement repair shop owned by Heinrich Penner
In operation in 1912
Isaak, Jakob - Paint and Chemical Factory
Owner Jakob Isaak moved from Orenburg to Millerovo sometime after 1907
Located on Deutsche Strasse, telephone No 11
Advertised in Christlicher Fatnilienkalender in 1914
Had oil-based and lacquer paint, all purpose use
Agent for other types of paint, as well as roof, wall and floor coverings, such as linoleum
Upon request would send out a price list
Together with other business owners imprisoned, and bribe demanded for release in 1919
Son Jakob shot because he tried to escape without paying
Abandoned factory and home, likely late 1919 or early 1920, the family fled to the Kuban
Isaak died 10 September 1925 of a stroke in the Kuban
Martens, DeFehr and Dyck Implement Factory
Established in 1904 by:
Komelius Jakob Martens - production manager
Cornelius A DeFehr - general director
Opened up a workshop and implement dealership with a modest initial investment of 2,500
rubles
Got a loan from the bank for 20,000 rubles with which they purchased machines and
equipment necessary for the manufacture of agricultural machinery
Produced mowers, seeding machines and threshing machines
In the second year they produced 16 seeding machines, in the third year several hundred
After 5 years they had 50 employees
They also started producing hydraulic oil presses for processing flax and sunflower seeds and
also cylindric mills
Johann Rempel was the chief engineer and draftsman
In 1909 Wilhelm Isaak Dyck, father-in-law of the two owners, became the third partner, likely
to help with the finances
Prices for products were roughly: drills (seeding machines), 140-200 rubles; grain cutting
machines, about 160 rubles; threshing machines, 650-850 rubles; oil refineries installed
3,000-6,000 rubles; flour mills installed, 8,000-35,000 rubles.
Annual pre-war business volume reached one million rubles
At an exhibition Komelius Martens won 2 gold medals for designs produced by the factory
There were contracts from within Russia, but also from abroad; in one six month period they
produced 900 fly-wheels of various sizes for Daimler-Benz of Germany
Just before World War I there were 100-120 employees, rising to 200 during the war
70% of the employees were Russians
Average daily wage was about 2.5 rubles
Social security benefits included those required by government regulations
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After 3 years employment the workers could participate in a profit sharing plan
Soon after the onset of World War I the company was denied bank credits because it was owned
by “Germans.” They were asked to quickly repay the 200,000 rubles they owed. After
some time this policy was rescinded, but by then the company did not require additional
funding
During the war the company was asked to manufacture transmission systems for use in other
government factories as well as casings for land mines and hand grenades. The owners
were actually somewhat relieved when the revolution broke out before they had to
deliver the latter two products
On the basis of producing vital materials for the government the factory management and
workers were excused from military service
With the expropriations and brutal treatments expected with Communist takeover, the extended
Dyck and DeFehr families fled to the Kuban 7 December 1919 leaving nearly everything
behind, including 30,000 rubles in cash in the factory. They apparently hid some
valuables in a secret room under the factory
Before immigrating to Canada in 1925 Cornelius DeFehr paid a visit to the factory
H Thiessen, previously a laborer in the factory, had been appointed manager. DeFehr said
one last farewell to his former employees
Apparently the machine factory has been expanded and is still functioning (2005)
Nickel, Jakob
Large steam-powered flour mill owned by Jakob Nickel
Valued at 10,000 rubles in 1908, according to the Forstei Taxation list
Penner, Heinrich
Agricultural implement repair shop
In operation in 1912
Russisch-A merikanische Muellerei Gesellschaft
1903 the first Mennonite families moved into Millerovo
Wilhelm Isaak Dyck together with partners Wilhelm J Friesen, Johann Nickel and J Siemens
built a small rolling mill. It was called the “Don Mill,” owned by the Donischen
Gesellschaft. It had a large smokestack, and could produce 1,500 pud of wheat four in 24
hours
Apparently Nickel and Siemens soon dropped out of the partnership
In 1907 Dyck went to the United States to purchase milling equipment in Minneapolis
Using this imported machinery, a large, six-story mill was constructed in 1908
Large windows provided significant daylight to the interior of the mill
Since much of the equipment was imported from the United States it was commonly called the
“American Mill”
Two story brick administrative building
This mill could produce 5,000 pud of wheat flour in 24 hours
Exact ownership and profits of the mill changed considerably from time to time
Dyck used the ownership and profits of the mill to help his children and other relatives
In 1916-17 joint owners of the company were:
There was a total of 48 shares
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Wilhelm Isaak Dyck. 14'A shares
Wilhelm Friesen (one of the original owners).11 shares
Peter Riediger.11 shares
David Dyck (probably brother of Wilhelm Dyck).4 shares
David Dyck (not sure of his relationship).2 shares
Jakob Riediger (son-in-law of Wilhelm Dyck).2 shares
Gerhard Poetker (father-in-law of Wilhelm Dyck).2 shares
Paul G Poetker (wife’s brother). l'A shares
During World War 1 the mill owners converted the upper floor of the administrative building
into a 20-bed hospital for wounded soldiers, run by Elisabeth DeFehr, wife of
C A DeFehr
Letter written by Dyck on 9 August 1918 says that they had sold the big mill for one million
four hundred thousand rubles. The smaller mill was working day and night
Wilhelm Friesen (the other large investor) and his wife were planning to go to Germany
After the Civil War the Communist government expropriated the mill
Apparently the mill buildings and the adjoining machine factory are standing unused, but there
is a very large sunflower oil-pressing plant in the area
Schroeder Flour Mill
Schroeder Oil Mill
Peter Peter Schroeder and his family moved to Millerovo from Muensterberg in 1914
He, together with brothers-in-law Komelius Braun and Jacob Hildebrandt, owned a flour mill
and an oil press. The Brauns and Hildebrandts likely lived in Millerovo
In 1919 the Schroeders fled to Jesk, a port city on the Sea of Azov, then when there seemed to
be less danger returned to Millerovo in 5 months
After another 6 months, 2 weeks before Christmas, they again fled, this time to the Kuban, then
in 1925 emigrated to Manitoba, Canada
At a visit to Millerovo in 2000 the buildings of these businesses were still standing, and
appeared to be functioning
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Russisch-Amerikanische Muellerei Gesellschaft the mill operated by Wilhelm Isaak Dyck
Paint and Chemical Factory of Jakob Isaak, Millerovo
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A A DeFehr and Sons flour mill
3
Martens, DeFehr and Dyck Implement Factory
315
Martens, DeFehr and Dyck Implement Factory in 2005
Worker housing for the Russian employees of the factory
Old oil presses still on the factory
yard. Komelius Martens won two
gold medals for these inventions
at an exhibition
Monument to celebrate the centenary of the
estblishment of the factory, erected in 2004
316
Martens, DeFehr and Dyck Implement Factory in 2005
Factory in 2005, with manager Vladimir Kovalenko
(first on the right)
The factory yard in 2005
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WILHELM ISAAK DYCK
(1854- 1936)
Wilhelm Isaak Dyck was bom on 4 February 1854 in Rosenthal in the Chortitza Colony. His
parents were Isaak Heinrich Dyck and Maria David Redekopp. His great-grandfather Heinrich
Dyck, with his family, had migrated from near Danzig to Kronsgarten, a village 80 km north of the
Chortitza Colony, in 1789. Nothing further is known about his mother’s family. Parents Isaak and
Maria were married on 4 December 1841. They had six children:
1. David - bom 20 November 1842, died 2 December 1842
2. Katharina - bom 4 January 1844, died 1 February 1844
3. Heinrich - bom 19 February 1845, died 8 February 1861
4. Katharina - bom 23 July 1848, died 6 March 1870
5. David - bom 23 October 1851 in Rosenthal, died 7 June 1927
6. Wilhelm - born 4 February 1854 in Rosenthal, Chortitza Colony
Wilhelm’s mother died, likely about six months after his birth. Father Isaak married
Elisabeth Krahn 12 January 1856, and the couple had another son, Isaak, bom 13 April 1857.
Wilhelm’s father Isaak died on 10 April 1857, so at the age of three the young Wilhelm was an
orphan. Despite there being a stepmother, the children were
distributed into various homes. Elisabeth married Gerhard
Heinrich Rempel 18 September 1857, a scant four months after
husband Isaak Dyck died.
Wilhelm was first taken into the home of some relatives,
but then later was transferred into a foster home, that of Gerhard
Krahn in Neuenburg. Here the young lad was employed as a
swineherd; food was scant. In summer he slept on straw stacks
behind the bam, and despite being terrified of thunderstorms was
not allowed to sleep in the house. The mother of the house and
a daughter tried to be kind to him, but Wilhelm often received
severe beatings from Gerhard Krahn for little or no cause. His
older sister Katharina visited him on one occasion, and finding
that he had not been able to sit down for two weeks because of
bruises to his back, reported his condition to the authorities.
Wilhelm was transferred from this foster home, probably to the
village of Franzfeld, where he seems to have stayed in a number
of homes.
Wilhelm went to the local Dorfschule, likely in Franzfeld, and did very well. He came to the
attention of Abram Wieler, a teacher who took a personal interest in his welfare; he first taught
Wilhelm about salvation through Jesus Christ, and taught him to pray. Upon completion of his
studies at the Dorfschule , Wilhelm was sent to the Zentralschule in Chortitza, where he lived in a
dormitory. He was sponsored by the municipality, and as such had poor clothing and little food,
since he was basically on his own. He did very well as a student, and upon graduation was appointed
as assistant secretary (administrator) of the Chortitza Volost. Once he was earning a salary Wilhelm
made sure that he repaid the municipality every kopec that had been spent on his behalf. In 1874,
Wilhelm Isaak Dyck
318
at the age of 20, he was appointed as chief administrator of the Nikolaipol (Yazykovo) Volost.
Despite having had a difficult childhood Wilhelm was a lively and happy person. He learned to play
the violin, and frequently attended dance parties, both to fiddle and to dance; he also wrote poetry.
On 7 July 1877 Wilhelm married Maria Riediger, whom he had met in Chortitza. Maria had
taught school in Kiev for one year, then at the age of nineteen married. She was the granddaughter
of Heinrich Heese, a Lutheran who had emigrated from Prussia in 1818 and spent years as colony
administrator and educator in both the Molotschna and Chortitza Colonies. His daughter Elisabeth,
Maria’s mother, married Martin Abram Riediger of Lichtfelde. Maria was bom to this couple on
1 July 1858 in Neuanlage; she was apparently one of the first lady teachers to graduate in Chortitza.
The couple first lived in Nikolaifeld, where their first seven children were bom. Wilhelm
continued his work as colony administrator. Tragedy struck the young family, their first four
children dying at early ages. Three died within two and a half weeks in late 1883 and early 1884 as
a result of a diphtheria epidemic. Children bom to Wilhelm and Maria were:
1. Elisabeth - bom 6 October 1878 in Nikolaifeld, died 10 January 1884
2. Maria - bom 14 November 1879 in Nikolaifeld, died 27 December 1883
3. Helena - born 14 January 1881 in Nikolaifeld, died the same day
4. Katharina - bom 23 December 1881 in Nikolaifeld, died 23 December 1883
5. Maria-bom 16 May 1884 in Nikolaifeld, married Komelius Jakob Martens in 1902, had
7 children, 3 dying in infancy, Komelius was a partner in an implement factory in
Millerovo, he evangelized Russians and founded a Russian Baptist Church in
Millerovo, Komelius escaped Russia in 1927, Maria imprisoned for mission work,
eventually Komelius was able to get Maria to Germany in 1936, immigrated to
Canada, Maria died in Winnipeg 1 July 1961, Komelius died 17 June 1974
(see also biography Komelius Jakob Martens)
6. Elisabeth - bom 28 August 1885 in Nikolaifeld, married Cornelius Abram DeFehr in
1903, had 6 children of whom 4 became adults, Cornelius was a partner in an
implement factory in Millerovo, fled to the Kuban in 1919, immigrated to Canada in
1925, Cornelius had a successful importing business in Winnipeg, he was very
involved in the MB Conference, both he and Elisabeth played a part in Mennonite
migration to Paraguay after World War II, Elisabeth died in Winnipeg 12 September
1976, Cornelius died 11 February 1979 in Winnipeg
(see also biography of C A DeFehr)
7. Katharina - bom 24 December 1886 in Nikolaifeld, married David Johann Klassen in
1905, had 10 children of whom 5 died in infancy, David was a teacher, moved to
Kantemirovka in 1909, likely to start his own flour mill, served in Forstei after 1914,
fled to Kuban in 1919 with extended Dyck family, immigrated to Canada in 1924,
to Hepburn, then Coaldale in 1927, then Yarrow, BC in 1941, Katharina died in
Yarrow, BC in 1984
8. Anna - bom 24 March 1889 in Reinfeld, disabled, died 13 August 1922 in the Kuban
9. Helena - bom 20 April 1891 in Reinfeld, married Jacob Peter Riediger 23 August 1909,
he was an engineer working for the mill owned by his father-in-law, had 7 children
of whom 1 died at an early age, immigrated to Canada in 1924, arriving in Hepburn,
then to Gnadenthal, Manitoba, but then soon to Morden, where Jacob first worked
319
in, then owned a mill. Helena died 26 September 1966 in Morden, Manitoba
10. Susanna - bom 7 February 1893 in Reinfeld, married Wilhelm Dyck, a cousin, in 1915,
had 7 children, 5 growing to adulthood, stayed in Russia, and died in Russia 13
August 1984
11. Wilhelm (Willy) - bom 28 February 1895 in Andreasfeld, died at the age of 3 in
Andreasfeld, 6 September 1898
During the time in Nikolaifeld both Wilhelm and Maria had conversion experiences some¬
time around 1878. This meant a considerable change in lifestyle for the couple. They were baptized
and joined the Mennonite Brethren Church. Wilhelm
immediately started his work in the Kingdom of God.
One of the daughters later wondered if the family
deaths may have driven them to an even more
profound faith in 1883 or 1884.
In 1889 the family tried to immigrate to
America, but because of an outbreak of cholera in
Latvia the “border was closed.” Wilhelm had already
resigned from his job in Nikolaifeld and sold his
properties, so they moved to Reinfeld. For his work
as administrator of the volost Wilhelm received a
medal from the Czar. The Dyck family continued to
apply for immigration.
In Reinfeld Wilhelm was elected, and on 9
October 1892 ordained as a minister of the Mennonite
Brethren Church. Elder Aron Lepp of Einlage
presided, the ceremony taking place in the Nikolaipol
church. From that time on his life was a steady,
almost dizzying round of activities involving church
and business ventures. One gets the distinct
impression that Wilhelm did not shy away from
adventure and travel in his various ministries.
Wilhelm almost immediately became an itinerant minister with travels taking him to Poland
(together with Elder Jakob Janz of Friedensfeld) as well as Bulgaria in the west, to Samara, Orenburg
and Siberia in the east. In March of 1894 Wilhelm and Jakob Reimer undertook a trip to Turkestan.
Travelling by train, stage coach, over a mountain pass by sled and over the Caspian Sea by ship, they
reached their destination, Aulie Ata, in 27 days. They ministered to the five small Mennonite
villages from March 30 until May 3. They made house visits and held public meetings, having up
to 400 people attend the Good Friday serv ice. The return trip presumably also took almost a month.
At the end of this long trek it was remarked that “The Lord richly blessed in the service of the
Master.”
When Wilhelm returned from Turkestan he decided to give up thought of emigration, settling
down in Andreasfeld, a village near the Chortitza Colony. Here the family owned a house with two
dessiatines of land. Wilhelm functioned as a minister of the nearby Einlage MB Church, but also
continued to spend a considerable amount of time away from home on his itinerant ministry. His
320
wife then managed the household. In February of 1896 Wilhelm, this time with his wife, travelled
to St Petersburg to make a presentation to the government regarding the nonresistant status of
Mennonites in Russia. After consulting with various officials the delegation was finally able to take
the petition directly to the President of the Governing Council, Konstantin Nikolayevitsch. The
impression was that they had a favourable hearing, but Konstantin would have to study the document
further before giving a definitive answer. Having achieved the best possible, the delegation returned
home and asked the churches to pray for a satisfactory ruling.
Wife Maria unfortunately became ill later that year, and on 14 October 1896 died of typhus,
at the young age of 38. Wilhelm was left with seven children.
Wilhelm married Emilie Poetker of Alexanderheim, Pavlograd, Ekaterinoslav on 19 July
1897. She was bom 11 December 1874, so at 23 was considerably younger than her husband.
Wilhelm knew the parents, Gerhard Poetker and Elisabeth Koop, and often stayed in their home on
his travels. Emilie came to his particular attention when Wilhelm was in Alexanderheim to settle
a church dispute. The couple had seven additional children:
12. Emilie - bom 16 March 1899 in Andreasfeld, died 5 October 1901 in Petrovka
13. Amalie - bom 18 February 1901 in Petrovka, baptized in Millerovo, attended the
Maedchenschnle in Halbstadt, to the Kuban in 1919, immigrated to Canada in 1924,
married Johannes Bock 23 October 1927 in Gnadenthal, Johannes taught in a number
of southern Manitoba schools, they lived in Marquette, then Winnipeg, had 10
children, of whom 3 died in infancy, Amalie died 11 December 1988
14. Wilhelm - bom 18 July 1903 in Millerovo, baptized in Millerovo 5 October 1917, to the
Kuban in 1919, immigrated to Canada in 1924, married Anna Reimer25 June 1927,
lived in Gnadenthal, then Coaldale 1932 to 1934, thereafter Niverville, had 6
children, was pastor of the Niverville MB Church, for many years as lay minister,
then as an ordained minister, successful businessman, he died 6 December 1971 in
Niverville
15. Agathe - bom 14 September 1905 in Millerovo, died 21 September 1906 in Millerovo
16. Agathe - bom 8 June 1907 in Millerovo, to the Kuban in 1919, immigrated to Canada in
1924, worked, went to Manitoba Teachers College, taught school near Niverville
1930-1936, married Cornelius Cornelius Warkentinin 1936, lived in Winnipeg, had
6 children, adopted younger sister Elfrieda in 1943, died 13 October 2000.
17. Gerhard - bom 26 November 1912 in Millerovo, died 2 October 1917 in Millerovo in a
millstone accident
18. Elfrieda - bom 2 January 1927 in Gnadenthal, Manitoba, lived with elder sister Agatha,
adopted into the Warkentin family in 1943, married Cornelius Balzer in 1956, had
4 children, for years a missionary in Europe and Equador, now lives in Winnipeg
(2006)
Always on the lookout for better business opportunities, but also concerned with the welfare
of the church, the Dyck family moved to Petrovka, Naumenko Colony, in 1900. There Wilhelm,
together with Wilhelm J Friesen, purchased a Schlichtmuehle (planer mill). Profit from this mill
considerably improved the family finances. Then in 1903 came another move, when the Dycks and
four other families became the first Mennonites to settle in Millerovo.
Wilhelm, together with Wilhelm J Friesen, Johann Nickel and J Siemens built a small flour
321
Dyck family men 1 to r: David Klassen, Cornelius DeFehr,
Jakob Riediger, Wilhelm 1 Dyck, Komelius Martens
and young Wilhelm
mill in Millerovo in
1903. This mill, called
the “Don Mill,” could
produce 1,500 pud of
wheat flour in 24 hours.
Apparently Nickel and
Siemens soon dropped
out as partners, leaving
Wilhelm and Friesen.
In 1907 Wilhelm went
to the United States to
purchase milling
equipment in
Minneapolis. Using
this imported machinery
the Russisch-
A merikanische
Muellerei Gesellschaft
in 1908 constructed a
second, much larger
six-story steam-powered flour mill. Because much of the milling equipment was American, it was
commonly referred to as the “American Mill.” A two-story administration building was erected
adjacent to the mill. This mill could produce 5,000 pud of wheat flour in 24 hours. Exact ownership
of the milling company changed
considerably from time to time,
Wilhelm using the ownership and
profits of the mill to help his
children and other relatives. In
1916-17 the joint owners of the
company were Wilhelm, David
Dyck (brother), Jakob Riediger
(son-in-law), Peter Riediger,
Gerhard Poetker (father-in-law),
Paul Poetker (wife’s brother),
another David Dyck and of course
his long-standing friend and
partner, Wilhelm J Friesen. After
the Communist takeover the mill
was expropriated by the
government and expanded.
Two sons-in-law of
Wilhelm, Cornelius Jakob
Martens and Cornelius Abram
Wilhelm I Dyck with second wife Emilie and children
Amalie, Agatha and Wilhelm and servant girl
in Millerovo
322
DeFehr established an agricultural machinery factory in Millerovo in 1904. They produced mowers,
seeding machines and threshing machines, then added hydraulic presses and cylindric mills to the
production lines. The business did well, for example selling several hundred seeding machines in
the third year of operation. In 1909 Wilhelm became a third partner in the business; his major
contribution was likely financial. During World War I there was discrimination by the banks against
the company because it was German-owned, but it was still asked to manufacture transmission
systems for government factories. With the Communist takeover the extended Dyck family felt
unsafe in Millerovo, and abandoned all their properties. Apparently the mill buildings and the
adjoining machine factory at this time may be standing empty, although there is a large, very busy
sunflower seed mill in the region.
Wilhelm was considered to be a sharp businessman, very honest and good to his employees.
He encouraged people to move to Millerovo, both to build up the community, the church and his
business. His brother David and family, father-in-law Gerhard Poetker, cousins and friends were
enticed to join him. He apparently gave everyone good jobs and shared his profits.
With a strong Mennonite Brethren contingent moving to Millerovo, especially from the
Einlage region, a congregation was soon established with Wilhelm as leader. At first the group met
in a small building, which was replaced by a beautiful new sanctuary in 1906. Wilhelm worked hard
at the local church level, but also continued his itinerant ministry in many parts of Russia. It was
said that his travels had included almost every country in Europe.
The church grew steadily, with Wilhelm representing the congregation at various conventions
and meetings. He was one of the secretaries of the Mennonite Brethren convention held in Reinfeld
4-6 May 1904, as well as conventions held in Rueckenau in 1917 and Vassilievka in 1918. He was
known to be a diplomat in dealing with government agencies, so the convention of 1910 held in
Tiege, Sagradovka, asked Wilhelm and two others to appeal to the government for permission to
implement practical Bible courses. At the same convention he was appointed conference statistician.
At the 1917 Rueckenau convention he was elected to the Foreign Missions Committee, a position
he held for a number of years.
Wilhelm chaired a meeting “of all conference leaders" held in Tiegenhagen in April of 1917
where many important issues were discussed, and the decision was made to have such discussions
annually. Presumably following through on this decision a meeting was called for 7 October 1919
to be held in Rudnerweide. Only six representatives from outside of the Molotschna could attend,
two of these being Wilhelm and Abram Rempel representing the Millerovo congregation. Even
though restricted in their scope, the meetings were open and frank in discussing the problems, with
special emphasis on the concept of nonresistance. It was reported that 160 Mennonites had lost their
lives through shooting or murder in the last year. Business at the conference was rapidly concluded
on October 9, including the payment by Wilhelm, treasurer of the MB Missions Committee, of 1,000
rubles to itinerant minister Hermann Neufeld for his work. The delegates headed for home at 11:30
that morning with the sound of cannons of the advancing Makhno army echoing in their ears.
What was likely the final Mennonite Brethren convention in Russia was held in Memrik in
1922. Wilhelm chaired the meetings with Abraham Heinrich Unruh assisting and recording the
proceedings. The 24 representatives accomplished little, since the future of the church seemed to
be so uncertain.
While Wilhelm travelled the country and world for the greater good of the Kingdom of God,
323
he was also
appreciated by his
own congregation.
The Mennonite
Brethren held their
annual convention in
Millerovo on 9-10
May 1914, followed
by the ordination of
Wilhelm as elder on
Sunday, May 11.
Proceedings started
with session of
prayer led by
Wilhelm. This was
followed with
ordination orations
by Elders Gerhard
Regehr of Reinfeld and Komelius Fehr of Orenburg. Wilhelm and Emilie kneeled, the congregation
rose, and the Elders fulfilled the ordination by the laying on of hands. At the congregation’s request
this was followed by a “brief’ sermon by Wilhelm. After the noon break missionary Johann Wiens
told a story for the children, a collection was held, and two more elders delivered sermons. So as
not to slight any of the participants, most of the 40 ministers and elders present were asked for a few
words, not to exceed ten minutes each. Despite protests that this was barely enough time for an
introduction, this proposal was adhered to. Elder Wilhelm Dyck closed the proceedings, anticipating
responsibility, but also blessings. The festivities were completed by the singing of “Now Thank We
All Our God.”
But even while the ordination celebration was proceeding the world was changing. World
War I had started following the assassination of Archduke Francis Ferdinand of Austria on 23 June
1914. With various threats and counter-threats, by July Germany and Russia found themselves at
war. Mennonite young men were called to alternate service; Wilhelm’s son-in-law David Klassen
was in the Forstei, son-in-law Jakob Riediger in the Sanitaetsdienst, working on a hospital train.
There was anti-German sentiment in the country, and even some laws to confiscate “German”
property. Banks would not lend money to German-owned business operations, so the implement
factory owned by Wilhelm and his sons-in-law was refused a loan. To show concern for their
“fatherland” the business community of Millerovo converted the second floor of the Dyck mill
administration building into a 20-bed hospital for wounded soldiers, managed by Elisabeth DeFehr,
wife of Cornelius A DeFehr and Wilhelm Dyck’s daughter. Other aspects of life went on. Wilhelm
continued to lead the church, to preach and to participate in MB conferences.
Being involved with the church, but also having the resources of his business to fall back on,
Wilhelm had many opportunities to help people. He, for example, financed the Zentralschule
education of Johann and Wilhelm Martens of Sergeyevka; Wilhelm Martens worked in the mill as
bookkeeper to pay off the debt, likely from 1914 tol916. The story is also told that Wilhelm gave
324
cows to many widows and delivered sacks of flour to families in need.
There was a time of peace for the region after the Treaty of
Brest-Litovsk, which pulled Russia out of World War I on 3 March
1918. One of the conditions of the treaty was that the German and
Austrian armies occupy Ukraine. During this time a German soldier,
Karl Ritter, was billeted with the Dyck family. He seems to have
become a friend of the family. During this time Wilhelm sold their
large mill for one million four hundred thousand rubles. The smaller
mill was then working “day and night.” One of the major investors,
Wilhelm Friesen and his wife were contemplating leaving for Germany.
After the German troops left the region, likely November 1918,
and the full effects of the Communist Revolution and the subsequent
Civil War were felt, the wealthy and successful were targeted to be
victims. During one time when the Communists were in control in
Millerovo, Wilhelm was roughly picked up one night, imprisoned, and
apparently slated for execution. Early the next morning Emilie walked
to the headquarters, sneaked past the sleeping guards, and confronted the officer in charge. If she
would bring him 70,000 (some say 100,000) rubles together with the signatures of 100 employees
vouching that he had been good to them, her husband would be released. These demands were
complied with, and Wilhelm was released. During another threatening encounter the Dycks fled
through a grain field disguised as peasants. They knew their time was limited, and so decided to flee
from the region.
At a time when the White Army was in control of the region Wilhelm arranged for eight
freight train cars to be made available. A total of ten families, including the extended Dyck and
DeFehr families as well as some employees, loaded whatever they could onto these cars, and on the
very cold 7 December 1919, after nightfall, they were on their way. Travel took some time, but on
December 19 they arrived at Bogoslavaya, railway station for the Kuban Colony, near the village of
Wohldemfuerst (Velikoknyaschesk) in the Caucasus region. They had with them the cash from the
sale of the mill. They also left 30,000
rubles in Millerovo to pay the factory
workers. Unfortunately devaluation
of the currency soon made their
money almost worthless. Things were
peaceful for the first year, but when
the Communist control extended to
include the whole Caucasus,
conditions were less settled. During
this time Wilhelm continued his
ministry; he even travelled to the
Memrik Colony to chair the
Mennonite Brethren convention in
Wilhelm Isaak Dyck home in 1998
1922. Both he and Emilie visited Alexanderkrone in the Molotschna in September of 1923.
Recognizing, however, that there was no future for the family in Russia, arrangements were
325
made for immigration to Canada. Wilhelm, wife Emilie, children David and Katharina Klassen and
family, Jakob and Helena Riediger and family, Amalie, Wilhelm and Agatha left in 1924, first
arriving in Hepburn, Saskatchewan.
In 1925 Wilhelm purchased a farm in Gnadenthal, Manitoba. Here he both farmed and
continued his ministry, including the itinerant travelling. Wilhelm, for example, spoke at a missions
conference held in North Dakota in 1925. He went on a five-and-a-half week tour of western
Manitoba and Saskatchewan in the spring of 1930. He tended to visit the areas where families lived
in rather isolated circumstances; in Oxbow, Saskatchewan, for instance, he held a series of meetings
and discussions for the three families in the area. He made at least 54 visits to individual homes
during this trip.
It was at Gnadenthal that on 2 January 1927 the family received the “unexpected gift” of a
daughter, Elfrieda. Later that same year son Wilhelm (called William in Canada) married Anna
Reimer and daughter Amalie married Johannes Bock. In time it became apparent that the parent
Dycks could no longer manage, both because of their age and the poor crops on the farm, so in 1930
they moved to live with daughter Agatha, who was a teacher in the Arran school near Niverville.
Mother Emilie had become ill in 1929, suffering from cancer of the breast. She was in
considerable pain, and was bedridden for months. Surrounded by her family she quietly remarked,
"I see light, bright light! Beautiful home!” On 11 December 1931 she quietly passed away. The
funeral held in Niverville on December 13, had widespread participation.
Son William, wife Anna and family moved to Coaldale, Alberta in 1932. At the request of
father Wilhelm they relocated to Niverville in 1934; Wilhelm so much wanted to die in the arms of
his only son. When William moved back he rented an old farm house; father Wilhelm, Agatha and
Elfrieda moved in with the family.
In 1935 Wilhelm longed to participate in just one more Mennonite Brethren conference to
meet friends and fellow ministers, which he then did. He is registered as being a delegate to the
Northern District convention held in Main Centre, Saskatchewan 7-10 July 1935. Upon returning
he was quite ill, and spent four months in bed in the home of his children in Winnipeg, the Cornelius
A DeFehrs. When he felt somewhat better he returned to Niverville. Here he passed away at 2:50
AM on Monday 2 March 1936. The funeral was held in Niverville on March 5, and despite it being
a bitterly cold day, the building was filled to capacity. Because of the large number of friends the
deceased had in Winnipeg, a memorial service was held in the North End MB Church on March 15,
again with widespread participation.
The words of his son-in-law Komelius Jakob Martens could well summarize a long active
life well lived: “His life was a blessing to many. He led many a soul to the Saviour. Others were
consoled and put on the right path. He loved righteousness and did not shy away from insisting on
the truth, even if it was costly. He also understood when to use words of love... in his life he was an
experienced teacher to me and a faithful advisor. He was a master at this.”
Sources:
Balzer, Elfrieda, daughter of Wilhelm Isaak Dyck, family information
Bergen, Heinrich, Chortitza Colony Atlas, Altkolonie, Mennonite Historical Society of
Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, 2004, pp 75-77
DeFehr, C A, Memories Of My Life , printed for C A DeFehr by D W Friesen, Altona, Manitoba,
326
1967, many pages
Dueck, Abe J, Moving Beyond Secession, Kindred Productions, Winnipeg, Manitoba and Hillsboro,
Kansas, 1997, pp 12, 16, 58, 66, 72, 73, 75, 81, 83, 87, 93, 94, 96, 97, 100, 101, 132, 142
Dyck, Maria, Report of the Delegation Trip to St Petersburg, February and March, 1896
Friesen, P M, Die Alt-Evangelische Mennoniten Bruederschaft in Russland (1789-1910), Raduga,
Halbstadt, Taurida, 1911, pp 450, 464, 478
Friesen, Rudy, with Friesen, Edith Elisabeth, Building on the Past, Raduga Publications, Winnipeg,
Canada, 2004, pp 699-705
Lohrenz, Gerhard, Heritage Remebered, CMBC Publications, Winnipeg, Canada, 1974, p 51
Martens-Poetker Dokument, pp 2-10
Mennonite Encyclopedia, Vol II, pp 116, 686
Mennonitische Rundschau
Obituaries:
Dyck, Emilie (nee Poetker), 13 January 1932, p 10
Letter to the editor about Emilie Dyck written by Franz Adam, 10 February 1932, p 5
Dyck, Wilhelm Isaak, 11 March 1936, pp 1-3; 18 March 1936, pp 1-2
Notes of appreciation
Neufeld, Hermann, editor of the Mennonitische Rundschau, 18 March 1936, p 2
Epp J; Regehr Gerhard P, 18 March 1936, pp 2-3
Martens Komelius Jakob, son-in-law, written from Mannheim, Germany,
6 May 1936, p 6
Refugee Lists: 11 February 1925, p 20; 4 March 1925 Beilage, p 20
Reports:
Memorial service in honour of Wilhelm Isaak Dyck held in the North End MB Church
25 March 1936, pp 6, 7
Report of Wilhelm Isaak Dyck’s trip to Turkestan, taken from his own diary:
17 April 1968, p 14; 24 April 1968, p 14; 1 May 1968, p 14; 8 May 1969, p 14;
15 May 1968, p 14; 22 May 1968, p 14; report does not include the trip back
Mennonitisches Lexikon, Erster Band, p 21. Alexanderheim was a village of renters established
in 1889. Its church was an affiliate of the Einlage MB Church
Neufeld, Elder Hermann A and Katharina, Their Story, The Autobiography of Elder Hermann A.
Neufeld and Katharina Neufeld, in Russia and Canada, translated and edited by Abram
H Neufeld, Centre for Mennonite Brethren Studies in Canada, Winnipeg, Canada,
1984, pp 69, 78, 102
Northern District Conference of the Mennonite Brethren Church Yearbook, held in Main
Centre, Saskatchewan 7-10 July 1935
Poetker, Paul G, The Poetker Journal, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, pp 20-24
Schroeder, William and Huebert, Helmut T, Mennonite Historical Atlas, Springfield Publishers,
Winnipeg, Canada, Second Edition, 1990, pp 19, 21, 50, 58
Wieler, Elizabeth (Betty), granddaughter of Wilhelm Isaak Dyck, family information
Wilhelm Dyck Clan, a family history written by members of the family, 1990, many pages
Zionsbote
Report: The Itinerant ministry of Wilhelm Dyck, 2 April 1930, pp 7-8
327
lelius DeFehr, Susar
) DeFehr, Amalie, Ei
Agathe
CORNELIUS ABRAM DEFEHR
(1881-1979)
Cornelius Abram DeFehr was bom 6 October 1881 in Einlage, Chortitza Colony. His parents
were Abram Abram DeFehr and Helena Peters. His great-grandfather, Komelius Benjamin DeFehr
had migrated from Heubuden, near Marienburg in West Prussia,
with his parents Benjamin and Anna DeFehr, at the age of 12, first
settling in Neuendorf in 1790. The DeFehr family seems to have
resettled in Nieder-Chortitza, then moved to Einlage sometime
before 1848, since father Abram was bom there in 1848. Abram and
Helena were married in 1872, and first lived in Einlage, then moved
to Kronsweide in 1883, to the village in which Helena had been bom
3 May 1849. They were able to buy a small farm near Helena’s
family. In Kronsweide Abram pursued two vocations: farming, of
course, but also carpentry, particularly making furniture and building
wagons, although he also ventured into constructing houses and
windmills. Abram and Helena moved from Kronsweide to Petrovka
in 1888, and lived there until 1906 or 1907, when they then moved
to Millerovo. There Abram continued use of his skills as carpenter
building a large steam-powered flour mill, which employed some of
his children. In December of 1919 they, together with Cornelius and
Elisabeth DeFehr and others, fled to the Kuban. There Abram died
9 November 1923. Mother Helena immigrated to Mexico with some
of her children in 1924, then eventually reached Canada in 1926. For the last year of her life she
stayed with her daughter, Maria Peters, in Didsbury, Alberta, where she died 1 June 1931.
Abram and Helena DeFehr had 12 children:
1. Susanna - bom 29 August 1874 in Einlage, died 13 October 1874 in Einlage
2. Helena - bom 10 December 1875 in Einlage, married widower Franz Janzen who had 4
daughters in 1900, moved to Millerovo 1905, with parents A A DeFehr and brother
Abram built a large mill, Franz died, then she married Johann Penner in 1914, had
2 sons, immigrated to Canada in 1925, to Laird, then Mullinger, Saskatchewan, to
Gem and then nursing home in Coaldale, died 29 August 1970 in Medicine Hat
3. Susanna - bom 15 September 1877 in Einlage, died 15 January 1905 in Petrovka after a
37 2 month illness
4. Abram - bom 12 October 1879 in Einlage, married Helena Paetkau 1906, lived in
Millerovo, 9 children, 5 into adulthood, fled to the Kuban 1919, immigrated to
Mexico in 1924, then to Canada, lived in Winnipeg, St Catharines and British
Columbia, wife died 1960, married widow Katharina Janzen in 1962, he died 26
October 1966 in Clearbrook, British Columbia
5. Cornelius - bom 6 October 1881 in Einlage, married Elisabeth Dyck 1903, 6 children,
immigrated to Canada in 1925, died 11 February 1979 in Winnipeg, Manitoba
6. Katharina - bom 13 September 1883 in Kronsweide, married Jakob Klassen 1912, 6
children, fled to Kuban in 1919, immigrated to Mexico in 1924, then to Canada in
Cornelius Abram DeFehr
329
1926, first lived in Winnipeg 15 years, then moved to St Catharines, Jakob died 24
Octoberl948, Katharina died 12 March 1975 in St Catharines, Ontario
7. Franz - bom 15 April 1885 in Kronsweide, worked in a bank in Millerovo, married
Susanna Dyck, daughter named Susanna, died in exile 1942
8. Maria - bom 16 February 1887 in Kronsweide, married David Peters 1909, 6 children,
immigrated to Canada in 1923, first lived in Didsbury, Alberta, husband died 1947,
moved to Matsqui, British Columbia in 1949, then to Calgary in 1973, died 9
Febmary 1979 in Calgary, Alberta
9. Jakob - bom 26 March 1889 in Petrovka, died 10 April 1891 in Petrovka
10. Margaretha - bom 22 February 1891 in Petrovka, lived in Millerovo, likely fled to Kuban
with parents in 1919, married Jakob Reimer in 1920, 5 children, stayed in Russia,
died in Siberia
11. Jakob - bom 10 June 1893 in Petrovka, died 2 August 1893 in Petrovka
12. Heinrich - bom 15 May 1895 in Petrovka, served in the Sanitaetsdienst, fled to Kuban
with his family in December 1919, immigrated to Mexico over Germany with his
mother in 1924, then to Canada in 1926, married Anna Bergen 1927, 7 children,
Anna died in 1947, married widow Sarah Kehler in 1948, 4 stepchildren, Heinrich
died 8 September 1971 in Winnipeg, Manitoba
When Cornelius was two years of age the family moved from Einlage to Kronsweide. At an
early age he took an interest in family life, particularly his father’s workshop. He must have had a
fairly “active” interest, since he recalled being spanked more than once for losing or breaking his
father’s tools. He took to heart the religious life of the family, being steeped in the Bible stories that
he heard at an early age; also influencing his development were the prayers, sermons and hymns he
heard in the church.
Seeking further economic opportunity the family in 1888 moved to Petrovka, a small village
of the Naumenko Colony near the city of Barvenkovo. A larger farm, 180 dessiatines, was possible,
and the soil in the region produced better yields. The religious life was quite active, the predominant
church affiliation being Mennonite Brethren.
Schooling had hardly begun for Cornelius in Kronsweide; his teacher for the one year at that
school was Johann Klassen. He then attended elementary school for two more years in Petrovka,
M Thielmann and P Kroeker being his teachers. After that he went to a private school named
Banteschovov for four years. A prosperous landowner named Bantesch built an elementary and high
school for 200 students, underwriting the entire cost. In spring and autumn Cornelius walked the
five verst to school, boarding at the school in wintertime. Principal Ivan Saddovski was an excellent
teacher, later also author of an arithmetic textbook.
At the age of 19 Cornelius had a conversion experience. Jakob Reimer and A Wall were
holding two weeks of Bible studies in Petrovka, having revival meetings in the evenings. Cornelius
decided to skip the last evening meeting. Jakob Reimer also played “hookey” and instead held a
special meeting for the youth of the village. All 12, ages 12-19, came to this extra meeting, and all
12 “decided to follow the Lord.” This included Cornelius. He was then baptized and joined the
Mennonite Brethren Church.
It was also in Petrovka that Cornelius met and fell in love with Elisabeth Dyck, daughter of
Wilhelm Isaak Dyck. They both sang in the choir, and this became the social basis for their
330
courtship. The Dyck family moved to Millerovo in 1903, so for a time there was a separation.
Cornelius followed Elisabeth to Millerovo, where they were married on 13 November 1903 in her
parental home. Peter Toews was the presiding minister. The couple then returned to Petrovka,
where Cornelius helped on his father’s farm. His wages were the wheat produced on 10 dessiatines
of land. After the birth of their first child Elisabeth (Liese) 11 October 1904 they moved to
Millerovo, where Cornelius felt that they had a brighter future.
The six children bom to Cornelius and Elisabeth were:
1. Elisabeth (Liese) - bom 11 October 1904 in Petrovka, to Millerovo later that year, fled to
the Kuban with the family in 1919, married Bernhard Bernhard Fast in the Kuban 23
March 1923, five children, the family immigrated to Canada with her parents in
1925, Bernhard was a teacher and minister, then also a partner in the DeFehr business
beginning in 1938, while being the latest partner he still contributed considerably to
the business, Bernhard died 22 December 1963 in Winnipeg, Elisabeth died 12
September 1976 in Winnipeg, Manitoba
2. Helena (Lenchen) - bom 27 March 1906 in Millerovo, died July 1907 in Millerovo
3. Wilhelm - bom 13 November 1907 in Millerovo, died 19 October 1910 in Millerovo
4. Abram - bom 29 April 1909 in Millerovo, fled to the Kuban with the parents in 1919,
immigrated to Canada with parents in 1925, married Velma Litz 6 September 1931,
four children, partner in the DeFehr business in 1930, Velma died 7 July 1993 in
Winnipeg, Abram is remarried and now lives in Kelowna, British Columbia (2005)
5. Cornelius - bom 2 June 1911 in Millerovo, fled to the Kuban with the parents in 1919,
immigrated to Canada with parents in 1925, married Agatha Neufeld 24 May 1936,
three children, partner in the DeFehr business in 1933, Cornelius died 19 February
2000 in Winnipeg, Agatha lives in Winnipeg, Manitoba (2005)
6. Wilhelm - bom 25 May 1913 in Millerovo, fled to the Kuban with parents in 1919,
immigrated to Canada with parents in 1925, married Ema Neufeld 7 April 1940, four
children, partner in DeFehr business in 1934, Wilhelm died 20 June 1987 at Victoria
Beach, near Winnipeg, Ema died on 2 November 2003 in Winnipeg, Manitoba
Upon moving to Millerovo Cornelius became part of the Mennonite business group.
Together with his brother-in-law Komelius Martens, he opened up a workshop and implement
dealership on a site where they also built a duplex dwelling. Five years later, in 1909, father-in-law
Wilhelm I Dyck became a shareholder in a three-way partnership. The company, in time, was called
“Implement Factory Martens, DeFehr and Dyck.” Cornelius DeFehr was the general director,
Komelius Martens the production manager, with Wilhelm Dyck remaining the silent partner. Chief
engineer and draftsman was Johann Rempel.
Business started on a small scale, initial total capital investment being 2,500 rubles. They
were able to obtain a large loan of 20,000 mbles from a bank with which they purchased machines
and equipment necessary for the manufacture of agricultural machinery. The second year of
operation they sold 16 seeding machines, this ballooning to several hundred the next year. The
production line soon expanded to include hydraulic oil presses and cylindric mills. At the end of a
decade business volume reached about one million mbles, and they had 100-200 employees. The
employees were treated well, receiving the usual expected benefits, as well as profit sharing.
The parents of Cornelius, Abram and Helena DeFehr, moved from Petrovka to Millerovo in
331
1906 or 1907. In 1907 Abram, together with son Abram, son-in-law Franz Janzen, and likely son-in-
law Jakob Klassen and son Heinrich, built a large three-story steam-powered flour mill in Millerovo,
named “A A DeFehr and Sons.” By 1917 it seems that
Cornelius also had a share in this business.
Things changed with the outbreak of World War I.
Brother Abram was drafted into the alternate service,
Forsteidienst. Cornelius was not called up because the
manufacturing firm had received several large orders from the
Defence Ministry. He, as general manager of a business
producing materials for the government, as well as all the
workers in the factory, were exempted on this basis.
Also during the war the Mennonite businesses of
Millerovo opened up a 20 bed hospital for wounded soldiers on
the second floor of the administrative building of Wilhelm
Dyck’s mill. Elisabeth, wife of Cornelius DeFehr, was in
charge of this unit.
With Russia being at war with Germany it is not
surprising that there would be some resentment against
“Germans” in the country. The local bank advised the factory
that all German-speaking citizens were to be denied bank
credits; the 200,000 rubles owed the bank were to be repaid
rather quickly. In time these discriminatory measures were
eased, but by then the factory did not need the loans. The
factory was actually asked to produce transmission systems for the government as well as casings
for hand grenades and land mines. Somewhat to the relief of the factory owners the last two orders
were scrapped with the outbreak of the Russian Revolution.
During the war the Czarist government planned to confiscate all German-owned land and
properties; in some regions this had already been carried out. With the downfall of the Czarist
government this plan was also abandoned. In 1918, with the Civil War raging, the local leader of
the Don Cossacks gave the order to mobilize all male persons in the area. Wanting to exempt his
factory workers, Cornelius boarded the first express train to the district capital of Novocherkassk on
25 January 1919. He did receive a certificate in writing from the commander of the Cossack Army,
but before he reached home the Red Army occupied Millerovo. During this time about 100 leading
citizens were arrested, imprisoned, and many were shot. The Mennonite businessmen had been able
to purchase their lives with huge sums of money; these included Cornelius’s father-in-law, Wilhelm
Dyck. The son of neighbour Jakob Isaak had tried to avoid paying the bribe, and had been shot.
When Cornelius got back after four months the family had been driven from their home, and
lived in one small room of their relative’s house, that of Jakob Riediger. When the Cossacks (White
Army) regained control of the area, the business owners returned to their own homes. But it was an
uneasy time. The extended Dyck family, including Cornelius and his family, arranged for freight
cars to be made available. Ten families climbed in, together with whatever they could take along.
After midnight on a cold 7 December 1919 the cars were locked, and they headed south for the
Kuban region of the Caucasus. The DeFehrs had left everything except 30,000 rubles of cash in the
Elisabeth and Cornelius
in their younger years
332
factory. Of course, they expected to return fairly soon. Of the DeFehr family Abram and Helena
DeFehr (Sr), Abram and Helena DeFehr (Jr) and their children, Cornelius and Elisabeth DeFehr and
their children, Jakob and Katharina Klassen and their children and Heinrich DeFehr (single) were
on the train to the Kuban.
For Cornelius the situation was additionally complicated. He himself was suffering from
typhus and lay in bed unconscious; wife Elisabeth had to make all the arrangements. The medical
doctor of their factory was willing to accompany the family, at least part of the way, to monitor his
condition.
The trip to the Kuban was a long, slow one, with the train cars often being shunted onto side
tracks. When they reached Rostov, somewhat over one third of the way, the spell of the typhus fever
Cornelius had suffered from seemed to break. They arrived at Bogoslavskaya, railway station for
the Kuban Colony, on 19 December 1919. The reception by the Mennonites of the Kuban was
friendly, Cornelius and his family first receiving accommodations with the Johann Komelsen family
in Velikoknyazheskoye (Wohldemfiierst). The first year the conditions were fairly settled, but then
the Communist takeover penetrated even to the Kuban.
At one point Cornelius and Abram and their families were picking fruit which they had
purchased from several farmers. A friend came and warned them that they were on the list to be
transported to work in the coal mines in the Ural Mountains. Cornelius and Abram hid in a
neighbouring com field, then by wagon fled further south to the safer settlement of Suvorovka. Here
their reception was again friendly, but in time the Communist regime extended its tentacles even to
this remote area.
Cornelius heard that his brother Franz had been imprisoned after the Reds had moved into
Millerovo. A fellow worker, Franz Neufeld, had accused him and a Russian of wrongdoing in the
bank where they worked. Eventually, in part because of the goodwill of some of his former factory
workers, Cornelius was able to free the two from prison.
When the whole Caucasus was overrun by the Communists Cornelius and his family returned
to Velikoknyazheskoye. Together with his brother Heinrich he went into business milling flour.
With the profit he built a vegetable oil refinery and later paid for the immigration expenses.
Cornelius was busy representing and helping the Mennonite population in the region. He
played a part in the distribution of food by the American Mennonite Relief Agency during the famine
of 1922. He represented youths in court when their nonresistant status was questioned. In his local
Mennonite Brethren Church he was choir conductor for two years.
While residing in the Kuban a number of personal events happened in the family. On 7 June
1923 Bernhard Bernhard Fast, a teacher, married daughter Elisabeth in Velikoknyazheskoye. Later
that year, 9 November 1923, father Abram DeFehr died.
Cornelius attended the General Conference of Mennonite Congregations in Russia held in
Moscow 13-18 January 1925. His conclusion was that there was no future for him and his family
in Russia, and that it would be wiser to leave the country. After they received their papers they sold
their meagre belongings at an auction and left by train for Moscow. They made a brief stop in
Millerovo, and against the advice of the manager Cornelius addressed his former employees at the
factory. He later stated, “Departing from the factory and from Millerovo was a difficult moment for
me.” After some delay because of a possible eye infection, trachoma, Cornelius received medical
attention and the problem was solved. Stopping briefly in Germany on the way, they eventually
333
crossed the ocean, landing in Quebec 11 September 1925.
Of the DeFehr extended family, David and Maria (nee DeFehr) Peters reached Canada first,
settling in Saskatchewan in 1922. Abram and Helena DeFehr (Jr), Jakob and Katharina (nee
DeFehr) Klassen, single brother Heinrich and mother Helena DeFehr managed to get to Mexico in
1924, then to Canada two years later, in 1926. Johann and Helena (nee DeFehr) Penner likely
C. A. DeFehr family in 1927
Back row 1 to r: Wilhelm, Cornelius (father), Abram, Bernhard Fast, Cornelius (son)
Front 1 to r: Elisabeth (mother), Bernhard Fast (Jr), Elisabeth Fast (nee DeFehr)
baby on Elisabeth’s lap Elisabeth Fast (later Goossen)
immigrated in 1925.
Cornelius and his family went directly to Gnadenthal, Manitoba, where his father-in-law
Wilhelm Isaak Dyck had purchased a farm. Three days after they arrived in southern Manitoba they
took their children Abram and Cornelius as well as son-in-law Bernhard Fast the 16 miles to Gretna
to register them at the Mennonite Collegiate Institute. Cornelius himself admitted that for at least
five years he was still dreaming of returning to Russia, so he did not, for himself, emphasize the
learning of English. He later came to regret this.
Cornelius very soon re-entered the world of business. He purchased a Model T Ford half-ton
truck and took to the road. He sold cream separators and hardware, using the Heinrich Schuet
“Hamburg Export and Import Company” to fill his orders. This was the same company that he had
been dealing with while he was in business in Russia. Most sales were to German- or Russian-
speaking businessmen, although as his English improved, the scope widened.
In the spring of 1926 Cornelius and family moved to Winnipeg. “Standard Importing and
334
Sales Company” began humbly in a 16 by 12 foot room at 159 Princess Street. Facilities were
gradually enlarged and items sold expanded. The region covered included eastern and western
Canada as well as the United States, although most of the orders came from the prairie provinces.
The first five years Cornelius travelled the area himself, up to 7,000 miles in two months. He often
slept in farmers’ homes or even in his own tent. Sales improved dramatically. In 1926 a volume of
$19,855.25 yielded only $174.47 net profit. By 1929 sales were $72,494.23. In time the sons joined
the business on a full-time basis, Abram in 1930, Cornelius in 1933, Wilhelm in 1934 and son-in-law
Bernhard Fast in 1938.
The economic disaster of the depression did not spare Cornelius and his business. The low
point came in 1939 when total sales of $33,461 left a net profit of only $325. World War II of course
made it impossible to trade with Germany and did not make sales of German goods very popular.
This forced the “Canadianization” of the company, with sales
of Swedish, but also many Canadian products. They sold
cream separators, grain crushers, grain elevators, furnaces, oil
burners, chick brooders, refrigerators, washing machines,
garden tractors and a host of other items. With the post-war
boom, business jumped dramatically. In 1945 total sales were
$266,172, and they increased in 1947 to $931,835. Gilson
products comprised 60% of sales in 1948, together with other
Canadian products bringing the total for this country up to
75%. A branch office had been established in Edmonton in
1932; additional branches were begun in Regina and
Saskatoon.
In 1963 Cornelius sold the business to his sons and
their families, the ownership then decreasing from five to four
shares. Each son and son-in-law, with this reorganization,
had his own company, the overall umbrella company being
called “C A DeFehr and Sons.” That same year, on 22
December 1963, Bernhard Fast died, so his second son,
Cornelius Fast, took over the management of his part of the
company. The eldest Fast son, Bernhard, was a physician, an internal medicine specialist.
During this whole time, while the business was expanding, Cornelius continued his interest
in church and society at large. He was an active member of the Mennonite Brethren Church, and
played a significant role in the formation of many of the institutions which moulded the future of the
denomination. He and Elisabeth were members of the North-End, later Elmwood MB Church; they
were deacons of that congregation from 1949 onward. Cornelius was on the building committee
when the North-End Church built a new sanctuary in Elmwood, even donating the land on which the
new structure was erected; official dedication was on 7 February 1964.
Cornelius served on many church, conference and church-related boards: board member and
treasurer of the MB City Mission Board (Winnipeg) 1930-1955; board member and treasurer of the
Maria-Martha Home (Winnipeg) 1930-1956; founding member of the Concordia Hospital, on the
board (1930-1935); member of the MCI board 1938-1952; member of the Canadian Mennonite Board
of Colonization 1940-1960; member of the Mennonite Central Relief Committee 1940-1960,
335
treasurer 1949-1960; treasurer of the Canadian MB Conference 1944-1960; member of the MBCI
board 1945-1958; chairman of the board of the Christian Press 1945-1960, honorary board member
1960-1966; member, then honorary board member of M BBC 1945-1966; member of the Mennonite
Central Committee 1947-1964; member of the Canadian Mennonite Relief and Immigration Council
1960-1964. Cornelius was also a founding member of Mennonite Economic Development
Associates (MEDA), which was initially formed to help development in South America. Going
beyond his Mennonite roots, Cornelius was also a longtime member of the Gideons. This was an
incredible array of activity. Cornelius really seemed
to put his heart into the work. One gets the impression
that on occasion the “treasurer” of the various
agencies may have dipped into his own pocket to help
balance the books.
Of particular interest to Cornelius was the
welfare of Mennonite refugees at any time, but
especially after World War II. In 1947 Dr P C
Hiebert asked Cornelius, under the auspices of the
Mennonite Central Committee, to be involved in the
reception, settling and equipping of 2,030 refugees
arriving in Paraguay on the S S Volendam. This
eventually led to the founding of the Volendam
Colony in East Paraguay. In this project Cornelius
and Elisabeth worked together with Peter and Elfrieda
Dyck. Originally sent on a five month assignment,
the DeFehrs actually spent ten months in South
America. The work of Cornelius also involved the
settlements in the Chaco, Asuncion, Argentina and Brazil. He returned for additional assignments
in Paraguay in 1948, 1952 and 1958.
In 1957 Cornelius agreed to accompany the executive secretary of the Mennonite Brethren
Board of Foreign Missions, J B Toews, on an administrative trip around the world. They paid
particular attention to the work in Japan, India, Germany and Austria. They left on May 29, and
returned home after attending the Sixth Mennonite World Conference held in Karlsruhe, Germany
August 8-15. Cornelius later reported to the mission board, remarking that only experienced and
tested workers should be sent to the field, and that there should be direct accountability for work
done. He felt that the entire missionary endeavor should be strongly supported.
Cornelius and Elisabeth celebrated their Silver Wedding Anniversary 13 November 1928 in
a small mission church near the CPR railway yards in Winnipeg. Their Golden Wedding
Anniversary was celebrated 13 February 1954 in the new Elmwood MB Church, just a few days after
its official dedication. The Diamond Wedding Celebration of 16 November 1963 was attended by
52 family members and a host of friends, including I W Redekopp, pastor of the Elmwood church,
J A Toews, president of MBBC, J J Thiessen, chairman of the Canadian Mennonite Relief and
Immigration Council and George Sukkau, Canadian Conference treasurer and former associate in
Paraguay. At the seventieth anniversary Elisabeth was already in a nursing home.
Wife Elisabeth had participated in many of the projects in which Cornelius was involved.
336
She was in charge of the
hospital ward for wounded
soldiers established by the
Mennonite businessmen of
Millerovo during World War I.
She was assigned as deaconess
dealing with women in the
Kuban. She accompanied
Cornelius on his strenuous trip
to Paraguay in 1947, paying
particular attention to refugee
women without husbands.
Elisabeth typed all of her
husband’s many reports, since
she was the only one who could
read his writing. She was leader of the North-End/Elmwood Church women’s group for 16 years.
Her last days were spent in the Donwood Manor Nursing Home, where she died on 23 March 1972.
Daughter Elisabeth Fast died on 12 September 1976. The last years she had been disabled
by Parkinson’s disease, but still participated in many church activities.
Cornelius Abram DeFehr breathed his last on 11 February 1979 at 4 PM at the age of 97
years. His funeral was held on February 15 in the Elmwood MB Church. Minister Henry Brucks
led the proceedings, using Proverbs 10:7 as text for the German sermon. Cornelius had been
justified through faith, living a life in which the Holy Spirit was given opportunity to be active.
Friend J B Toews in the English sermon emphasized the vision he had displayed and his ability to
put the vision into action.
Editor Erich Ratzlaff of the Mennonitische Rundschau succinctly summarized the life of
Cornelius: “He was not an academic nor a historian, but was an active participant in the
developments of his time.”
Both Cornelius and Elisabeth were buried in the Elmwood Cemetery.
Cornelius and Elisabeth in later years
Sources:
Bergen, Heinrich, Chortitza Colony Atlas , Mennonite Historical Society of Saskatchewan,
Saskatoon, Canada, 2004, pp 39-42, 43-48, 68-69
Centenary Celebration of birth of Abram A DeFehr (Sr), celebrated at the North Kildonan
MB Church in 1979
DeFehr, C A, Memories of My Life , printed for C A DeFehr by D W Friesen, Altona, Manitoba,
1967, many pages from vii to 231. A German version, Erinnerungen aus meinem Leben,
was published in 1976. For this biography the English version has been used
DeFehr family information
Obituary of Cornelius Cornelius DeFehr by son William DeFehr
DeFehr, Sara Heinrich, 1m Wandel derJahre, printed by Regehr’s Printing, Winnipeg, Canada,
1975, many pages
337
Dueck, Abe J, Concordia Hospital 1928-1978, printed by Christian Press, Winnipeg, Canada,
1978, p 41
Dueck, Abe, Cornelius A and Elizabeth (Dyck) DeFehr: Combining Service and Business, in
Profiles of Mennonite Faith, No. 20, Summer of 2002
Friesen, Rudy P with Edith Elisabeth Friesen, Building on the Past, Raduga Publications, Winnipeg,
Canada, 2004, pp 99, 699-705
Goossen, Elizabeth (Bettie) (nee Fast), granddaughter of C A DeFehr, family information
Mennonite Brethren Herald
Obituaries (listed in chronological order)
DeFehr, Cornelius Abram, 2 March 1979, p 33
Peters, Maria (nee DeFehr), 16 May 1979, p 30
Maria died 2 days before her brother C A DeFehr
DeFehr, Cornelius C, 31 March 2000, p 28
Mennonitische Rundschau
Obituaries (listed in chronological order)
DeFehr, Helena (nee Peters), 1 July 1931, p 9
Klassen, Jakob, 22 and 29 December 1948, pp 6, 7
DeFehr, Helena (nee Paetkau), 10 May 1961, p 11
Fast, Bernhard Bernhard, 2 January 1964, pp 1, 4
DeFehr, Abram A, 23 November 1966, pp 1,4
Penner, Helena (nee DeFehr), 23 September 1970, p 11
DeFehr, Heinrich Abram, 13 October 1971, pp 11, 12
DeFehr, Elisabeth (nee Dyck), 12 April 1972, p 11
Klassen, Katharina (nee DeFehr), 7 May 1975, pp 11,12
DeFehr, Cornelius Abram, 28 February 1979, pp 1,4; 16 March 1979, pp 2, 3
DeFehr, Wilhelm Cornelius, 16 September 1987, pp 25, 26
DeFehr, Abram A (III), September 1998, pp 30, 31
Refugee List
Refugee List for Canada for 1922, David and Maria Peters, 13 December 1922, p 3
Schroeder, William and Huebert, Helmut T, Mennonite Historical Atlas, Second Edition,
Springfield Publishers, Winnipeg, Canada, 1996, pp 13, 21, 119
Unruh, Benjamin Heinrich, Die niederlaendisch-niederdeutschen Hintergruende der mennonitischen
Ostwanderungen im 16., 18. und 19. Jahrhundert, Im Selbstverlag, Karlsruhe, Germany,
1955, p 240
338
KORNELIUS JAKOB MARTENS
(1876-1974)
MARIA (nee DYCK) MARTENS
(1884-1961)
Komelius Jakob Martens
Komelius Jakob Martens was bom 23 April 1876 in the
Baratov Mennonite Colony in South Russia. His parents were
Jakob Martens of Einlage, and Susanna Klassen of Neuendorf,
both located in the Chortitza Colony. Komelius was the oldest of
eight children; there were also at least another four infants which
did not survive, with some of the names being used again. Next to
Komelius were Susanna, Katharina (1881), Maria, Jakob, Johann
(1889), Helena (1891) and Margaretha (1893). Jakob and
Susanna were poor, and moved from place to place a number of
times. For a time they lived on the estates of wealthy Heinrichs
relatives. When Komelius was eight years of age the family moved
onto one of these estates. At the age of nine (the usual age was
seven) he was enrolled in the school of a village about six
kilometres from their home. His
father put him on a horse, and
away he went. Komelius
actually much preferred the open
steppe to school, so the long ride
does not seem to have been a problem. When Komelius was age
13 his parents obtained a 30 dessiatine farm in a newly established
village. In the village he was known as a mischievous and
undisciplined boy, often participating in, or even being the
instigator of youthful “pranks.”
Komelius was converted at the age of 16. His spiritual
development had been a gradual process. The first seed was sown
with the religious instruction during his second year at school. He
still continued his irresponsible behavior, even trying to prove to
others that he could lead, but he himself knew better. He and a
friend intended to beat up a boy in the village who was member of
a fromm (devout) family, but this lad turned the tables on them by
praying with them. One day he was to take a load of grain to a
nearby mill. On the way there Komelius prayed all the prayers he could remember, then on the way
back he broke through to the fact that his sins could be forgiven, and were forgiven. With this
realization he stopped the horses, jumped off the wagon, and ran onto the open steppe, praising and
thanking God. Then he had to go home to face his family and others in the community. His father
was not happy, and some of his friends and cousins ridiculed him. When he went to the various
village farms to apologize for his past acts of vandalism, he was even beaten on one occasion. But
Komelius persisted in living a Christian life; he was baptized by itinerant Minister Hermann
Maria (nee Dyck) Martens
339
Neufeld, and joined the Kronstadt Mennonite Brethren
Church.
Komelius spent some time learning the trade of
machinist ( Eisendreher ) in New York of the Ignatyevo
Colony, working in the J G Niebuhr farm implement
factory. From there he went to nearby Kharkov where
he obtained a good position at the M Helfferich-Sadet
Company, which manufactured farm implements. While
in Kharkov he attended night classes at a technical
school, probably the “Kharkov Alexander III Practical
Technological Institute.” It was the only higher technical
education establishment in South Russia at the time. At
no time is there mention of any Zentralschule education
or extra religious training in the life of Komelius.
On 6 June 1902 Komelius married Maria, the
fifth child of Wilhelm Isaak Dyck and his first wife
Maria (nee Riediger). She was bom 16 May 1884 in
Nickolaifeld, Yasykovo Colony. The wedding was in
Petrovka, the presiding minister being Jakob Wiebe.
That same year Komelius also received the “call” to
become a minister, particularly to the surrounding
Russian population. At one point he had been working
at his machine in the factory, and came to the conclusion that he did not feel his primary calling in
life was to turn metal, but to spread the gospel to the surrounding people. Komelius began his
ministry in 1902, being involved in the founding of a Russian Baptist church in Kharkov.
After two years the Martens family moved to Millerovo to take advantage of business
opportunities in that city. Their first child had been bom in Kharkov, the next six in Millerovo.
Children bom to Komelius and Maria were:
1. Maria - bom 23 August 1903 in Kharkov, she married Jakob Schulz, an engineer, in
1921, in the Kuban, had 5 children, eventually escaped from Russia to Germany
in 1934, then to Canada after World War II, Jakob died 7 April 1966, Maria
died 5 July 1995
2. Susanna (Suse) - bom 30 August 1905 in Millerovo, married Johann Johann Unruh
29 May 1926 in Wohldemfuerst, Kuban Colony, immigrated to Canada in 1928,
5 children, Johann had insurance agency, Johann died 6 October 1982,
Susanna died 13 June 1997
3. Elisabeth - bom 19 October 1907 in Millerovo, died 11 November 1907 in Millerovo
4. Katharina - born 1 January 1909 in Millerovo, died 25 January 1909 in Millerovo
5. Helene (Lena) - bom 13 March 1910 in Millerovo, married Peter Johann Unruh (brother
of Johann Johann Unruh) 23 August 1928 in Wohldemfuerst, Kuban Colony,
stayed in Russia, 2 children, banished to Murmansk and Siberia, their son
Wilhelm was adopted by sister Maria Schulz, they later came to Germany, where
Peter died 5 June 1979, Helene lived with daughter in Mannheim, Germany, she died
Komelius Martens and Maria Dyck
on their wedding day, 6 June 1902
340
10 October 1996
6. Wilhelm - bom 24 December 1911 in Millerovo, escaped to Germany, then to Canada
with his father in 1927, immigrated to Paraguay ini 938, he married Luise P Rahn on
7 January 1939 in Filadelfia, Paraguay, rancher and businessman in Paraguay, back
to Canada in 1954, where he was a building contractor, 8 children bom in Paraguay,
one daughter in Canada, Wilhelm died 12 November 1990, Luise died 5 November
2004, both in Winnipeg
7. Komelius - bom 8 March 1915 in Millerovo, died 20 March 1915 in Millerovo
In 1904, together with brother-in-law Cornelius DeFehr,
Komelius Martens opened up a workshop and implement
dealership on a site where they also built a duplex type of
dwelling. The business was started on a small scale, initial total
capital investment being 2,500 mbles. They were able to obtain
a large loan of 20,000 rubles from the bank with which they
purchased machines and equipment necessary for the
manufacture of agricultural machinery. The second year of
operation they sold 16 seeding machines, ballooning to several
hundred the next year. Periodically they needed to enlarge the
facilities as the production line expanded to include hydraulic
presses and cylindric mills. Their foundry could process up to
1,000 pud (1 pud is 36.11 pounds or 16.38 kilograms) a day.
Despite increasing business the owners decided to adhere
to some basic principles. They would not do business on the
Sunday, regardless of how inconvenient this might be. They also
set aside a small secret prayer room on the premises where they
often sought the Lord in prayer, particularly in the difficult times.
Five years later, in 1909, father-in-law Wilhelm 1 Dyck
became a shareholder in a three-way partnership. The company was called “Implement Factory
Martens, DeFehr & Dyck.” Cornelius DeFehr was the general manager, and ran the accounts,
Komelius Martens was the production manager, and played a
role in the engineering and designs of products, with Wilhelm
Dyck remaining the silent partner.
At an exhibition Komelius Martens won two gold
medals for designs of some of the machinery the factory
produced, likely a gold medal for each of the machines
depicted on the factory letterhead. There were contracts from
within Russia, but also from abroad; in one six month period
they produced 900 fly-wheels of various sizes for Daimler-
Benz of Germany. According to the recollection of C A
DeFehr, by the end of the decade the company business
reached about one million mbles, and they had 100-120
employees. Komelius Martens recalls there being 300-500
workers. A survey of “German” metalworking companies in “Martens, DeFehr and Dyck”
Part of the letterhead of factory
341
South Russia called the company “ Martens, Defehr & Dyck Gesellschaft, Eisengiesserei und
mechanische Fabrik. ” They had a foundry, and built various machines (milling equipment,
equipment for processing butter, and various agricultural implements). In 1912 they were recorded
as having 200 employees, and in 1914 there were 120. In 1914 “ Jahres Produktion ” was 500,000
rubles. Apparently the employees were well paid, and after three years with the company could
participate in a profit sharing plan.
As soon as the Martens moved to Millerovo, Komelius started preaching to the Russians and
the Cossacks in the region. After a few months a drunkard, a housewife and a brick-layer were
converted and baptized. With this small start a Baptist church was begun in the region, which in
time had up to 60 members, many being workers at the implement factory. The Orthodox Church
strenuously opposed this new movement, some of the believers having to suffer for their belief, even
spending time in jail. It should be recalled that the Orthodox Church had the full backing of the
Czarist government, and that the price of leaving the Orthodox fold could be 3 years of banishment
to Siberia. Komelius was threatened with this possibility on a number of occasions. His business
connections in high places, for example knowing the governor of the province, seem to have rescued
him. Other religious groups such as Seventh Day Adventists and Pentecostals attempted to draw
away members, although most in time returned to the Baptist group. Komelius was elected leader
of the Millerovo Baptist Church, and was also officially ordained as minister by the Baptist Church
in nearby Rostov in 1918. Martens was not affiliated with the Mennonite Brethren Church in
Millerovo, although on occasion they cooperated. When Baptist evangelist, Wilhelm Fetler, visited
Millerovo, for example, the Mennonite Brethren church building was used for the meetings. In time
the Baptist group had its own small sanctuary.
Komelius must have been a charismatic, enthusiastic preacher, since he seemed to attract an
audience wherever he went; he claims to have started many a church or group in the Don region (one
reference says 20, another says 30 groups). Weather and distance were no obstacles. On occasion
they had to chop holes in the ice of frozen ponds or streams to be able to baptize the believers. A
story about one of the meetings is typical. Martens was accompanied by a group of five singers,
travelling from village to village over the snow by sled. He recounted:
“One evening we came to a very humble hut. There was not much room, and there was a
terrible stench, for two piglets and a calf shared the room with the people. The villagers were
curious, and attracted by the singers came to see who would visit these poor people. The small room
was soon full. Men, women and children sat on the floor and wooden benches, people on the outside
looked through the windows. Old bearded men sat on top of the tile stove and curiously looked
down, wondering what would happen. It was indeed a strange meeting. We sang as well as we
could, and I read Ephesians Chapter 6. When I read “Take on...the Sword of the Spirit” one of the
old men called down from the stove “Stop, stop, what is that, the Sword of the Spirit?” This
question started an active discussion, and he and a number of others, including the village secretary,
accepted Christ as their saviour.”
In this work his brother-in-law, Cornelius DeFehr, always was willing to help, allowing
company horses and workers to be used to further the cause, although sometimes there was concern
that the business trips took a little too long. On one occasion Komelius preached at the dedication
of a mill the company had built, using Matthew 7: 24-27 as text, presumably hoping that they had
built on solid rock, not on sand, both in the spiritual and physical sense. He obviously travelled
342
widely both for the business and on evangelistic campaigns, stating that he never refused an
invitation to preach.
It is difficult to put a time-line on many of Komelius’s stories of imprisonment and dealings
with authorities, and it is also hard to differentiate what happened to him because he was an
evangelist, and what was the result of his being a rich businessman. Probably already while they
lived in Millerovo Komelius was involved in the Baptist organizational structure, being in the
leadership of the Evangelical Baptist Federation, and for years being one of 30 (some sources say
50) Federation evangelists for all of Russia.
During the initial Russian Revolution times were undoubtedly unsettled, but during the
German occupation of April to November of 1918, both the church and the business probably did
well. With the German withdrawal and the full impact of the Civil War, Millerovo was definitely
affected adversely. During one of the times when the Communists were in power, about 100
prominent citizens were imprisoned, among them Komelius. He was freed only after 50,000 rubles
ransom were paid on his behalf. On 5 January 1919 the Martens, together with many others, lost
their property and had to move into much smaller quarters. The extended family recognized that
there was no future for them in Millerovo, so it was arranged that on the night of 7 December 1919
train cars were parked behind one of the family mills in Millerovo, and ten families, together with
what they could manage to take along, quietly departed for the Caucasus. Komelius and his family
were in this group. When the train stopped in Rostov, Komelius tried to make arrangements for his
eldest daughter Maria to stay there with a special tutor. While he was gone Jakob Schulz, a
company engineer who was also with the group, convinced Maria and her mother that it would be
best if she stayed with the family. Faced with this majority opinion, Komelius gave up the plan of
leaving Maria, and she continued on travelling with the family. On 19 December the group arrived
at Bogoslavaya, a railway station for the Kuban Mennonite Colony. The Martens family stayed with
the Cornelius Wiens family in Welikoknyascheskoye.
Now no longer obligated to work for the factory, Komelius spent his entire time in
evangelism among the Russian and Cossack populations. Baptists were quite active in the Caucasus,
so the transition to the new home was not difficult. As early as 1920 Komelius was involved in the
planning of a Baptist congress in the area.
It has already been mentioned that the Czarist government, under the influence of the
Orthodox Church, persecuted groups such as the Baptists, who were actively evangelizing the
surrounding population. After the disturbances of 1905-1906 the government promised religious
freedom. In this milieu the Baptists expanded both in membership and organizationally. In 1905
the Federation of Russian Baptists was founded. D I Masayev of Rostov-on-Don became first
chairman and editor of the periodical The Baptist. Ivan S Prochanov began to publish his paper The
Christian in 1906, and founded the All-Russian Federation of Evangelical Christians in 1909. Fifty
(30?) evangelists were sent out to all of Russia, and a training centre was begun. But the Czarist
administration found it difficult to permit religious freedom in actual practice; all sorts of hindrances
were used, and when war broke out in 1914 all semblance of religious toleration was dropped.
During the Revolution and subsequent Civil War there was anarchy and destruction, but no
organized religious persecution. With the Communist victory, surprisingly, persecution diminished.
The Czar’s government had banished the Communists to the same labour camps as the Evangelical
Christians, so the Communists knew them. When they came to power they thought that Baptists and
343
other evangelical groups might help break the power of the Orthodox Church. So the period from
1917 to about 1927 was called the “golden age” of the Baptist Church, with many converts, and
many new churches established. After that, however, finding that the Evangelicals had their own
agenda of evangelism, persecution started in earnest. These are the circumstances under which
Komelius Martens carried on his evangelistic campaigns.
While living in the Kuban, Komelius was certainly very active in evangelism in that region,
but he also travelled the whole of Russia. He had the propensity to collect official enabling
certificates ( Vollmacht) signed by members of the Baptist hierarchy. This seems to have allowed
him to travel almost at will and certainly gave him immediate recognition in Baptist circles. On one
occasion he was sent to Moscow to accompany a train of relief supplies to the south of Russia. His
stories recount challenges to all kinds of officials, including judges; he did not, however, always
manage to talk his way out of trouble. On a number of occasions he was incarcerated in various jails
for months. While being very innovative in many respects, his devotional life had an absolute
inflexibility. Even in a filthy jail cell, packed with desperate criminals, with no room to lie down,
Komelius had to kneel down for his prayer, and sing a song. He was, during some of the years of
his stay in the Kuban, a member of the Mennonite Brethren Church.
Last family picture taken in Russia, in the late 1920s
first row 1 to r: Peter Unruh, Maria Martens, Jakob Schulz (Jr), Komelius Martens,
and Susanna Unruh
second row 1 to r: Helene Unruh, Jakob Schulz, Maria Schulz, Wilhelm Martens
and Johann Unruh
344
Family life went on in the Caucasus. Apparently Komelius was able to earn some money
because of his engineering skills, although he kept specifics a secret so that his family would not be
endangered. Daughter Maria, who had accompanied the
family to the Kuban rather than staying in Rostov to study,
married Jakob Schulz on 6 May 1921 in Wohldemfuerst.
Susanna married Johann Johann Unruh on 29 May 1926,
and a little more than two years later Helene married his
brother Peter Johann Unruh on 23 August 1928, both
weddings also taking place in Wohldemfuerst.
But time was running out for Komelius. Warned by
friends that plans were afoot to jail him, he prepared to
leave the country. With one last farewell to his wife and
daughters in the forest near Rostov-on-Don he made a
secretive round of seeing his close friends and associates,
then headed for Moscow to obtain his final exit papers. He
was very persuasive, and occasionally slipped rubles to
officials when necessary. With the appropriate documents
and tickets in hand Komelius and his 15 year old son
crossed the Soviet border into Latvia, arriving in Riga in
the summer of 1927.
Perhaps one should not judge too severely, but the
Eleventh printing in German in 1988 thought does surface asking how Komelius could leave his
wife and three daughters in Russia, while he and his son
escaped to freedom. It should be noted that there had
been long periods of separation due to his frequent
evangelistic travels while still in Russia, and his wife
often had no idea where he was, so separation was
nothing new. They may have also felt that this separation
would be for a brief time only, thinking that surely the
Communist regime must collapse. The possibility of
Maria’s wishing to stay in Russia to be able to reclaim the
factory in Millerovo has also been mentioned.
Komelius stayed in Germany for a time, likely
visiting acquaintances, holding campaigns and writing
about his experiences. He must have immediately spent
much time and effort to write and publish Unter dem
Kreuz , a recounting of his experiences up to that time.
Likely on the advice of the publisher he changed the
spelling of his name to Cornelius, which was more in
vogue in Germany at the time. Three thousand copies
were printed in 1928, 2,000 the next year. In all there
have been 11 printings of this book in German, the last
1,000 coming off the presses in 1988, to total 40,000 in
Further writing, sequal to
Unter dem Kreuz
345
all. Russian and French editions have also been printed, the last 1,500 Russian copies being printed
in 2006. An English translation has recently been completed. He sent copies of Unter dem Kreuz
to various officials, and received a note of thanks from President Paul von Hindenburg of Germany
for his copy.
Once having grasped the pen Komelius did not put it back in the holder. Taten Gottes im
Os ten is listed as a sequel to Unter dem Kreutz. Schweigende Not confronts the atrocities committed
by the Soviets, especially the GPU. Few evangelists can resist the urge to predict the future, which
Kornelius did with his Vergangenheit, Gegenwart undZukunft des Reiches Gottes. Dr. A McCaig
was intrigued by the stories Komelius told, and documented them in Grace Astounding in Bolshevik
Russia, first printed in Great Britain in 1928. Also in 1928 Komelius was chosen as a delegate to
represent the Russian Federation of Baptists at the Baptist World Alliance Congress held in Toronto,
Ontario. He fully intended to be there, but was held up by the Canadian Consulate in Hamburg.
In 1928 Kornelius finally landed in Quebec, then settled in Winnipeg. But Canada was only
a temporary stop. Before World War II he visited Europe at least eight times to hold evangelistic
campaigns particularly among the expatriate Russians; he visited Estonia, Germany, The
Netherlands, Switzerland, Poland, Bulgaria and Rumania, preaching in both Russian and German.
In the meantime Maria stayed in Russia. She acted as a conduit for foreign money to fund
various mission projects, particularly for Baptist causes; those sending her money included her
husband. She was made aware of the fact that the secret police were interested in her activities, so
she moved from place to place, keeping one step ahead of them. While she was staying with a
relative in Molochansk (Halbstadt) the police raided the house in early June of 1931, and found that
she had in her possession 4,000 rubles and twenty-five US dollars in cash. She was arrested and sent
to prison. After a preliminary hearing at midnight, she and a guard were sent to the regional prison
in Kharkov, in streaming rain, on an open flatcar. Here she was officially judged, using previously-
obtained information. One particular pastor had asked her for huge amounts of money, then
repeatedly asked her where she was hiding. For some reason the police had always found her, no
matter how careful she was. While being questioned in Kharkov it finally dawned on her that this
pastor had been the spy. Maria was asked who her accomplices were; she did give the authorities
some names, but was careful to mention only those who had already been banished, those who had
escaped the west, or those who had died. Food in the jail was quite poor; somehow Maria was able
to notify a friend of this. Although she herself was very poor this friend faithfully came to the prison
gates every day to bring her fruits and vegetables. Maria still complained of hunger, little realizing
at the time that these foods were very nutritious and probably saved her life.
After six months of frequent night-time interrogations Maria was sentenced to three years
banishment in the far east of Siberia. One night 1,500 prisoners stumbled the ten kilometres through
snow to the railway station. After four months of being shunted back and forth the group finally
reached Alma Ata; many of the prisoners in the meantime had died of typhus and dysentery. In two
months the prisoners resumed the journey another 1,000 kilometres further to an island on the Irtysh
River. Here they had to live with the resident Kirgisians, who themselves were desperately poor.
Two and a half years into the sentence Maria was freed, so she was able to leave the island and join
her daughter Helena, who with her family lived in the far north of Russia, near the White Sea.
Elder Wilhelm Dyck, father of Maria Martens, died in Niverville, Manitoba on 2 March
1936. Komelius was in Mannheim, Germany at the time holding an evangelistic campaign. He
346
wrote a letter to the editor of the
Me nnonitische Rundschau
commenting “So my parents and
parents-in-law have all died without
my being able to look into their eyes
one last time here on earth.” They had
all died having Jesus Christ as their
saviour. His father died on the
operating table while Komelius was
campaigning in the Caucasus (11
November 1919), his mother died
when he was in jail (24 March 1923),
his mother-in-law died while he was
travelling in the United States (11
December 1931), and now his father-in-law died while he was on the campaign trail in Germany.
But he still had recieved very meaningful last words from all of them, the last words from Elder
Dyck being a letter he had written shortly before his death.
Komelius was at the same time trying to use whatever means were at his disposal to get
Maria to Canada. Through the good offices of President von Hindenburg, Komelius had been able
to obtain German citizenship for himself and Maria, holding a certificate dated 15 December 1932.
By being German citizens, and through the German diplomatic service, he was in time able to have
Maria come to Germany. One year and seven months after her sentence was completed permission
finally arrived allowing her to leave the country. She crossed the border on 2 September 1936 at
8:30 PM, finally reaching Germany and greeting her husband and some of the children two days
later. She had to stay in Germany until 1938 because of her health, but then arrived in Canada in
July.
After her arrival in Winnipeg, Maria also wrote about her experiences, Stormy Tides;
Religious Persecutions in Soviet Russia. Life Experiences by Mrs MMartens, which was published
in Winnipeg in 1940. As well, she compiled a booklet about her father for Christmas that same year
entitled A us dem Leben unsers Grossvaters, Wilhelm Dyck, well and Aelt ester der Mennoniten
Bruedergemeinde in Mi/lerovo, Dongebiet. There were two separate versions, one for his children,
and another one for his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. From about 1940 onward the
Martens lived in a two story house at 83 Martin Avenue in Winnipeg. Komelius and Maria were
members of the McDermot Avenue Baptist Church.
Susanna and her husband Johann Unruh had been able to migrate to Canada in 1928.
Because Jakob Schulz was a German citizen, Maria and he were able to escape to Germany in 1934.
Helene and Peter Unruh remained in the far north of Russia, being able to leave only after World
War II.
During World War II Komelius was interned in Canadian concentration camps, first at
Kananaskis, Alberta, then near Fredericton, New Brunswick, for five years, probably because of his
uncompromising pro-German attitude. He was actually picked up in Speedwell, Saskatchewan, for
receiving letters and packages from Germany. He said that he was treated well in the camp. Even
this time of incarceration was a hidden blessing. With a lot of time on his hands he recalled many
Komelius and Maria Martens about 1950
347
of his friends and fellow workers
from Russia and wrote another book
Die Pioniere und Helden des
Russischen Protestantismus, a 195
typewritten document briefly
outlining the lives and times of many
church leaders in Russia.
Unfortunately he did not have a
research archive at his disposal, so the
document records only what he could
remember.
After the end of the war Komelius on evangelistic trail in Alberta, Canada
Kornelius resumed his evangelistic
activities. He had campaigns in various parts of Canada and the United States. He seems to have
been frugal, for example using a buggy in his Alberta visit. He was pastor of a small Russian group
in Moosehom, Manitoba, regularly travelling to this inter-lake community by bus for the Sunday
services. He spent considerable time in South America, particularly in Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil
and Paraguay. Witnesses who saw him in action in South America thought he was small, but
although he was old he was very interactive and friendly. One young man was converted because
Kornelius really made him afraid of the fires of hell as revealed in the end time prophesies.
During his time in Russia Komelius frequently participated and preached at Baptist
conventions; his many official enabling
certificates attest to that. He continued to
attend, report to and preach at Baptist
conventions after he arrived in North
America. He very occasionally preached at
the McDermot Avenue Baptist Church, but
was not involved in the leadership. He
seems to have financed his trips with the
help of collections in the places where he
ministered and through some income
derived from his books. He was also part-
owner, with his younger brother Johann, of
a chicken farm in Elm Creek, Manitoba.
His wife helped finance the home with little
businesses such as selling Christmas cards.
Maria’s health was deteriorating;
she was a diabetic. Towards the end of
May, 1961 there was infection in her leg,
giving her severe pain; her children took
good care of her. Two of her daughters,
Maria and Susanna were at her side when
she died 1 July 1961 at 6:30 AM.
(Snabe muf es fein..
1. ©na » be mufc e$ fein!
2. 211 * ler eig'*ne SBert
3. 2Benn ju $erb bet ©^mer*
4. 211 * fo ©nab' al = lein,
* * » ♦
©na; be aanj al * leinl
nur ben fcod^mut natyrt;
unbfduerbricbtbaS £>erj;
©na < be mup ei fein;
211 = leS an*b’re
2U * lei ttaS iff*
SBenn im £al ti
©nab’ jum S3Iei>ben,
zfz
mufe bet * ge$ * en, £ann nor 3e * f um nidj* « fte$ * en.
felbft er > toor * ben, bat bie ©Qn » be ganj »er < bor * ben. -
bu8 » tert, bun » lelt, ©<$au idj auf, trofc al * lent
©nab* jum ©e$ * en, ©nab’ ge * trofi beim $etrn ju
fun *
fa *
felt
T.a= £=*=5:
=F=r
-l-!-
jis iilp
©na * be muf
©na » be mufj
9Jur bet ©na
fftidjtS al« ©nab
f ein, ©na<be ganj
ein, ©na * be ganj
f#ein, ©na > be mu&
lein, ©na * be mufc
i-1-r
©na * be ganj al * lein.
©na = be gam al * lein.
©na s be mup e$ fein.
©na -- be mufe ti fein.
Maria’s favourite song
348
Komelius was in Germany at the time, but he flew home to be at the funeral which was held in the
North Kildonan Mennonite Brethren Church on 4 July 1961. Ministers presiding were Wilhelm
Falk, H Bushkowski and Gerhard Ratzlaff. Maria’s favourite song had been Gnade muss es sein
written by Bernhard Dueck, a Russian Mennonite musician.
Until the age of 94 Komelius was able to manage fairly well on his own. Thereafter for two
years his daughters took turns looking after him, but then with great reluctance it was necessary to
place him in a nursing home. He died 17 June 1974, with the funeral also being held at the North
Kildonan Mennonite Brethren Church three days later. Pastor William Neufeld greeted the
numerous friends and acquaintances who attended. Grandson Dr Cornelius Unruh spoke, stressing
that his grandfather had preached in the name of the Lord. A choir of grandchildren and great
grandchildren sang. Baptist minister Walter Stein referred to the suffering and persecution Martens
had suffered.
In 1977 a memorial scholarship was established at the Mennonite Brethren Biblical Seminary
of Fresno, California, in his honor. It is meant to help Canadian students attend the seminary.
Komelius is remembered as being a “bit of an eccentric,” very lively, friendly and kind, but
also very frank. Children liked him, and were fascinated by his stories. He cared for others,
sometimes dropping off clothing or requesting donations for those who were even poorer than he.
It was admitted that he and his wife were both very determined people, and did not always agree on
things. They lived their lives on “separate parallel tracks,” although their long-term objectives were
the same.
A verse of scripture that seemed to define the life of Komelius Jakob Martens, and certainly
determined many of his actions, was Luke 14:26: “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his
father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters - yes even his own life - he cannot
be my disciple.”(NIV) Komelius certainly lived by this principle of dedication to the cause of
evangelism with unwavering diligence. One wonders if at times he may have applied it with
unnecessary vigour.
Sources:
DeFehr, C A, Memories of My Life, Recalled for My Family, self-published, 1967, pp 19-29
Forschung zur Geschichte und Kultur der Russlanddeutschen, 1994, p 81
Hebly, J A, Protestants in Russia, translated from the Dutch edition (1973), William B
Eerdman Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1976, pp 87-95
Hefley, James and Marti, By Their Blood, Christian Martyrs of the 2ff h Century, Mott Media,
Milford, MI, pp 33-36
Kroeker, Abraham, Christlicher Familienkalendar, 1912, p 145; 1914 p 159
Loewen, Heinrich Jr, Russische Freikirchen, Verlag fuer Kultur and Wissenschaft, Bonn, 1995,
pp 37-57
Martens Family History and many pictures and documents
Martens, Komelius, Kurzer Ruekblick auf mein Leben, an autobiography written in his later years,
many pages
Martens, Komelius, Die Pioniere und Flelden des russischen Protestantismus, unpublished
349
document written while he was interned in a concentration camp, likely 1940-45,
many pages, especially 80-82
Martens, Komelius, typed out copies of various enabling certificates, mostly given by various
Baptist organizations
Martens, Mrs M, Stormy Tides; Religions Persecutions in Soviet Russia; Life Experiences by
Mrs Maria Martens , self-published, Winnipeg Canada, 1940, many pages
Martens, Maria (nee Dyck), A us dem Leben unseres Grossvaters Wilhelm Dyck, weiland
Aeltester der Mennoniten Bruedergemeinde zu Millerovo, Dongebiet, compiled by
Maria Martens, published 1940
Mennonitische Rundschau
Articles:
“Stiftung zum Andenken an Prediger Cornelius J Martens,” 21-28 December 1977, p 16
Letters to the Editor
“Nachruf filer den Aeltesten und Prediger Wilhelm Dyck,” 6 May 1936 p 6
Obituaries:
Martens, Prediger Cornelius Jakob, 31 July 1974 pp 11, 12
Martens, Maria (nee Dyck), 19 July 1961, p 8
Martens, Wilhelm Cornelius, 5 December 1990, p 23
Schulz, Maria, November 1995, pp 32, 33
Peters, K, Genealogy of Heinrich Heese 1787-1977, Winnipeg, Canada, 1978, pp 87-95
Schroeder, William and Huebert, Helmut T, Mennonite Historical Atlas, Second Edition,
Springfield Publishers, Winnipeg, Canada, 1996, pp 32, 47, 124
Toews, A A, Mennonitische Maertyrer, Volume 2, self-published. North Clearbrook, British
Columbia, 1954, pp 67-72
Wilhelm Dyck Clan, biographies and genealogy written by various members of the family, 1990,
pp 13-23
350
SOURCES
(for the entire Millerovo chapter)
Balzer, Elfrieda, daughter of Wilhelm Isaak Dyck, family information
Bergen, Heinrich, Chortitza Colony Atlas, Mennonite Historical Society of Saskatchewan,
Saskatoon, Canada, 2004, pp 39-42, 43-48, 68-69, 75-77
Bibel und Pflng
Obituary:
Winter, Abram, 1 March 1969, p 4
Centenary Celebration of birth of Abram A DeFehr (Senior), celebrated at the North Kildonan
MB Church in 1979
DeFehr, C A, Memories of My Life, printed for C A DeFehr by D W Friesen, Altona, Manitoba,
1967, many pages, from vii to 231. A German version, Erinnerungen aus
meinem Leben, was published in 1976. For this book the English version has been used
DeFehr family information
Obituary of Cornelius Cornelius DeFehr by son William DeFehr
DeFehr, Sara Heinrich, lm Wandel der Jahre, printed by Regehr’s Printing, Winnipeg, Canada,
1975, many pages
Der Bote
Refugee Lists: 23 June 1925, p 7; 17 November 1926, p 5; 2 November 1927, p 4
Dueck, Abe J, Concordia Hospital 1928-1978, printed by the Christian Press, Winnipeg,
Canada, 1978, p 41
Dueck, Abe, Moving Beyond Secession, Kindred Productions, Winnipeg, Manitoba and
Hillsboro, Kansas, 1997, pp 12, 16, 58, 66, 72, 73, 75, 81, 83, 87, 93, 94, 96, 97, 100,
101, 132, 142
Dueck, Abe, “Cornelius A and Elizabeth (Dyck) DeFehr: Combining Service and Business,” in
Profiles of Mennonite Faith, No. 20, Summer, 2002
Dyck, Maria, Report of the Delegation Trip to St. Petersburg, February and March, 1896
Forschungen zur Geschichte und Kultur der Russlanddeutschen, Newsletter 1994, p 81
Friedensstimme
Report of the baptismal service held 20 July 1908; 18 August 1908, p 518
Report of ordination service of Wilhelm Isaak Dyck; 31 May 1914, pp 5-6; 4 June 1914,
pp 2-3; 7 June 1914, p 2
Friesen, P M, Die Alt-Evangelische Mennoniten Bruederschaft in Russland (1789-1910),
Raduga, Halbstadt, Taurida, Russia, 1911, pp 450, 464, 478
Friesen, Rudy P with Friesen, Edith Elisabeth, Building on the Past, Raduga Publications,
Winnipeg, Canada, 2004, pp 99, 699-705
Goossen, Elizabeth (Betty) (nee Fast), granddaughter of C A DeFehr, family information
Great Soviet Encyclopedia (A Translation of the Third Edition), Macmillan Inc., New York
and Collier Macmillan Publishers, London
Millerovo: Vol 16, 1974, p 318
Rostov-on-Don and Rostov Oblast: Vol 22, 1975, pp 287, 289-91
351
Hebly, J A, Protestants in Russia, translated from the Dutch edition (1973), William B
Eerdman Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1976, pp 87-95
Hefley, James and Marti, By Their Blood, Christian Martyrs of the 20' h Century, Mott Media,
Milford, MI, pp 33-36
Hildebrandt, Martha, Schroeder family information
Jahresbericht des BevoUmaechtigten der Mennonitengemeinden in Russland in Sachen der
Unterhaltung der Forstkommandos im Jahre 1908 (Forstei Lists), p 16, 30
Klassen, Robert L, Life and Times of a Russian-German Mennonite Teacher: Cornelius A.
Klassen (1883-1919) and Beyond, self-published, pp 35, 36, 104, 105, 125
Kroeker, A, Christlicher Familienkalender, 1912, p 145; 1914, pp 159, 223
Kusmenko, Elena, My City Millerovo, Rostov-on Don, 2004, many pages (this book is in
Ukrainian)
Lohrenz, Gerhard, Heritage Remembered, CMBC Publications, Winnipeg, Canada, 1974,
pp 51, 63, 65, 73,74, 90, 138, 140
Loewen, Heinrich Jr, Russische Freikirchen, Verlag fuer Kultur und Wissenschaft, Bonn, 1995,
37-57
Martens, C, Unter dem Kreutz: Erinnerungen aus dem a/ten und neuen Russland, first printing
in 1928, eleventh printing likely 1,000 copies, in Winnipeg, Canada, 1988
Martens, Komelius, Kurzer Rueckblick auf mein Leben, an autobiography written in his later
years, many pages
Martens, Komelius, Die Pioniere und He/den des russischen Protestantismus, unpublished
document written while he was interned in a concentration camp, likely 1940-45,
many pages, especially 80-82
Martens, Komelius, typed out copies of various enabling certificates, mostly given by various
Baptist organizations
Martens Family History and many pictures and documents
Martens, Mrs M, Stormy Tides: Religious Persecutions in Soviet Russia, Life Experiences by
Mrs M Martens, self-published, Winnipeg, Canada, 1940, many pages
Martens-Poetker Dokument, pp 2-10
Mennonite Brethren Herald
Obituaries: (in chronological order):
DeFehr, Cornelius Abram, 2 March 1979, p 33
Peters, Maria (nee DeFehr) 16 May 1979, p 30
Maria died 2 days before her brother C A DeFehr
Schellenberg, Maria (nee Sawadsky), 11 March 1983, p 29
Ratzlaff, Erich L, 25 November 1988, p 31
Unruh, Susanna C, 29 August 1997, p 24
Fast, Katharina (nee Penner), 5 March 1999, p 28
Hyde, Elizabeth (nee Wiebe), 8 October 1999, p 22
DeFehr, Cornelius C, 31 March 2000, p 28
Wiebe, William (Wilhelm), 8 June 2001, p 29
Reimer, Johann (John) L, 18 March 2005, p 29
Mennonite Encyclopedia, Vol I, pp 62-63; Vol II, pp 116, 686; Vol III p 693
352
Mennonitische Rundschau
Articles
“Schtiftung zum Andenken an Prediger Cornelius J Martens,” 21-28 December, 1977,
p 16
Obituaries: (in chronological order)
DeFehr, Helena (nee Peters), 1 July 1931, p 9
Dyck, Emilie (nee Poetker), 13 January 1932, p 10
Letter to the editor about Emilie Dyck written by Franz Adam, 10 February 1932, p 5
Dyck, Wilhelm Isaak, 11 March 1936, pp 1-3; 18 March 1936, pp 1-2
Notes of appreciation:
Neufeld, Hermann, editor of the Mennonitische Rundschau , 18 March 1936, p 2
Epp J; Regehr Gerhard P, 18 March 1936, pp 2-3
Martens, Komelius Jakob, son-in-law, written from Mannheim, Germany,
6 May 1936, p 6
Isaak, Franz Franz, 4 June 1944, pp 12, 13
Klassen, Jakob, 22 and 29 December 1948, pp 6, 7
DeFehr, Helena (nee Paetkau), 10 May 1961, p 11
Martens, Maria (nee Dyck), 19 July 1961, p 8
Fast, Bernhard Bernhard, 2 January 1964, pp 1,4
DeFehr, Abram A, 23 November 1966, pp 1, 4
Ratzlaff, Richard L, 3 May 1967, pp 1, 3
Schroeder, Peter Peter, 19 July 1967, pp 1, 3
Penner, Helena (nee DeFehr), 23 September 1970, p 11
DeFehr, Heinrich Abram, 13 October 1971, pp 11, 12
DeFehr, Elisabeth (nee Dyck), 12 April 1972, p 11
Martens, Prediger Cornelius Jakob, 31 July 1974, pp 11, 12
Klassen, Katharina (nee DeFehr), 7 May 1975, pp 11, 12
Sawadsky, Louise, 25 October 1978, p 7
DeFehr, Cornelius Abram, 28 February 1979, pp 1,4; 16 March 1979, pp 2, 3
Schellenberg, Maria (nee Sawadsky), 23 February 1923, p 27
DeFehr, Wilhelm Cornelius, 16 September 1987, pp 25, 26
Ratzlaff, Erich L, 23 November 1988, pp 25, 26
Martens, Wilhelm Cornelius, 5 December 1990, p 23
Schulz, Maria (nee Martens), November 1995, pp 32, 33
DeFehr, Abram A (III), September 1998, pp 30, 31
Ratzlaff, Peter, June 2002, p 31
Refugee Lists: 16 February 1921 pp 6, 7; 13 December 1922, p 37; January 1925 p 14;
11 February 1925, p 20; 4 March 1925 Beilage, pp 17, 18, 19, 20; 6 October 1926, p 9
Reports:
Regarding the Allrussische Mennonitische Bunderkonferenz held in Moscow in 1925,
1 April 1925 p 9
Memorial Service in honour of Wilhelm Isaak Dyck held in the North-End MB Church
25 March 1936, pp 6,7
353
Report of the diamond wedding celebration of Peter and Anna Schroeder,
13 June 1962, pp 1, 4
Report of Wilhelm Isaak Dyck’s trip to Turkestan, taken from his own diary:
17 April 1968, p 14; 24 April 1968, p 14; 1 May 1968, p 14; 15 May 1968, p 14;
22 May 1968, p 14; this report does not include the trip back
Requests for Food Drafts: 19 April 1922, p 5
13 September 1922, pp 11, 14
Mennonitisches Lexikon, Erster Band, p 21. Alexanderheim was a village of renters established
in 1889. Its church was an affiliate of the Einlage MB Church
Neufeld, Elder Hermann A, Katharina Neufeld, Their Story , The Autobiography of Elder
Herman A. Neufeld and Katharina Neufeld, in Russia and Canada, translated and
edited by Abram H Neufeld, Centre for Mennonite Brethren Studies in Canada,
Winnipeg, Canada, 1984, pp 69, 72, 78, 102
Northern District Conference of the Mennonite Brethren Church Yearbook , held in Main
Centre, Saskatchewan 7-10 July 1935
Peters, K, Genealogy’ of Heinrich Heese 1787-1977, Winnipeg, Canada, 1978, pp 87-95
Poetker, Paul G, The Poetker Journal, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, pp 20-24
Quiring, Walter and Bartel, Helen, Als Ihre Zeit Erfuellt War, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, 1963,
pp 16, 102
Ratzlaff, Erich L, 1m Weichsenbogen: Mennonitensiedlungen in Zentralpolen, Christian Press,
Winnipeg, Canada, 1971, p 41
Rempel, Betty, Rempel-Thiessen-Dyck family information
Rempel, Richard produced the cartoon relating to the Maria Dyck story. We used
page 6 from the graphic story Going Home by Mary Dyck and Richard Rempel
Schroeder Family Register (Wilhelm) 1761 -
Schroeder, William and Huebert, Helmut T, Mennonite Historical Atlas, Second Edition,
Springfield Publishers, Winnipeg, Canada, 1996, pp 13, 19, 21, 32, 47, 50, 58, 119, 124
Toews, A A, Mennonitische Maertyrer, Volume 2, self-published, North Clearbrook, British
Columbia, 1954, pp 61-12
Toews, John B, Lost Fatherland, Herald Press, Scottdale, Pennsylvania, 1967, p 16
Unruh, Benjamin Heinrich, Die niederlaendisch-niederdeutschen Hintergruende der
mennonitischen Ostwanderung im 16., 18. und 19 Jahrhundert, Im Selbstverlag,
Karlsruhe, Germany, 1955, p 240
Unser Blatt, News Report, October 1926, pp 21-23
Vogt, Willi, Mennonitische Ahnenforschung
Wieler, Elizabeth (Betty), granddaughter of Wilhelm Isaak Dyck, family information
Wilhelm Dyck Clan, a family history written by members of the family, 1990, many pages
Zionsbote
Report: The Itinerant ministry of Wilhelm Isaak Dyck, 2 April 1930, pp 7-8
354
Chapter V
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Table ofContents.355
History of Orechov.356
Pictures of Orechov.357
Map of Orechov “Rayon”(1972).358
Map of Orechov City (2000).359
List of People.360
Pictures of People.367
Mennonite and Orechov Institutions.369
Mennonite Businesses.370
Advertising.371
Sources.372
355
HISTORY OF ORECHOV
Orechov was originally founded on about 1793 near the Konka River; it was incorporated
in 1801. It is situated about 50 km southeast of Alexandrovsk (Zaporozhye), and almost the same
distance north of the Molotschna Colony. In 1818 Orechov appeared to be a place where military
personnel of the Czar was stationed; an officer from Orechov came out to finalize arrangements for
the Czar’s visit to Lindenau in May of that year. As early as 1836 a “Salt Road” ( Tschumakenweg )
connected Orechov with Perekop to the south, the road running through the Molotschna Colony.
This road was still shown on maps of 1852. In 1850 Orechov was within the boundaries of Taurida,
near the northeast border of that province. When the railway was built connecting Alexandrovsk to
Berdyansk it went through Orechov, presumably helping the development of the city, giving easy
access to the port at Berdyansk.
The first Mennonites likely settled in Orechov as early as the 1830s. By 1852 there were two
windmills in Orechov owned by Mennonites (Komelius Ediger and Kornelius Heinrichs) as well as
a treadmill and oil press operated by Aaron Wiens. In the 1860s a number of families moved from
Schoenwiese of the Chortitza Colony to Orechov. Among these was Johann Heinrich (Ivan
Andreievitch) Janzen, who built two large steam-powered flour mills and encouraged other
Mennonite businessmen to follow his example.
By 1874 the small Mennonite community, in cooperation with the equally small Lutheran
group, had built a church and a school. Apparently the Mennonites and Lutherans had joint services
in the church, but for major festivals the Mennonites tended to go to their home churches, for many
this being Schoenwiese in the Chortitza Colony. They also went back to their home churches to
allow the young people to meet prospective marriage partners.
In 1874 Johann Heinrich (Ivan Andreievich) Janzen was elected mayor of Orechov. Despite
some opposition from the business community because Janzen was German, the governor of the
province encouraged him to continue in his position, Orechov being one of the few cities with a
positive balance sheet despite an aggressive school building program. Janzen retired in 1899.
At the end of the nineteenth century, of a population of 10,000, there were only about 200
“Germans” in total (called niemsty ), which included approximately equal numbers of Mennonites
and Lutherans.
Only one Mennonite estate, Rosenheim (Epp) was listed as being close to Orechov, while
Wintergruen Estate was 14 verst east-southeast of the city. These estates, of course, no longer exist.
Peter Kondratyevitch Pavlenko was principal of the Halbstadt Zentralschule in 1909 and
1910, also teaching in the areas of mathematics and pedagogy; before that he had been on the faculty
of the secondary school in Orechov.
In 1918-1919 Orechov was in the centre of the area controlled by the anarchist-bandit Nestor
Makhno, so it likely suffered the usual consequences of being occupied by his army. During the
subsequent Civil War it was over-run a number of times as the vicissitudes of war caused frequent
changes in the struggles between the Whites and the Reds. Orechov was the base from which the
Red Army surged southward to finally defeat the Mennonite Selbstschutz in early March of 1919,
eventually leading to the capitulation in Gnadenfeld, Molotschna on 11 March.
Orechov attained city status in 1938. In 1972 it was the capital of the Orechov Region,
356
Zaporozhye Oblast. In 1990 the population was 21,200. Main industries produced clothing,
machinery and building supplies. There is a metallurgy plant, “Orechov Quarry of Molding
Materials,” which deals with refractory materials, and a sugar refinery. The city also has a regional
museum.
There are no obvious traces of the Mennonite past remaining.
Orechov street in 1910
The Johann Janzen residence
357
ORECHOW “RAYON”
HTH/2005
358
359
ZAPOROZHYE REGION
From a map of 2000
LIST OF PEOPLE
(People who at one time lived in Orechov)
(Each name will appear in bold print only once)
In all 138 specific individuals have been identified as having spent at least some part of
their lives in Orechov.
Balzer, Mr
Wife Mrs Balzer
Son Franz bom 19 August 1880
Dick, Jakob
Owner of a mill with motor in 1908
Mill worth 1,500 rubles in 1908 according to the Forstei taxation list
Dirks, Alexander Peter
Bom 28 December 1891 in Gnadenfeld, Molotschna
Parents Peter Dirks and Elisabeth Fast
Fifth of 12 children
Father Peter was a woodworker
1897 family moved to Spat. Crimea
Alexander completed Zentralschule in Gnadenfeld, then Teachers College in Halbstadt
1909 passed his examinations, and began teaching in the Mennonite school in Orechov
Younger brother Nicholas lived with him 1912-1916 while he was studying
Drafted into Forstei, then volunteered for the Sanitaetsdienst
After he was discharged in 1917 he taught in Waldheim, Molotschna
Married Agnes Warkentin May 1920, they had 8 children, the first 2 bom in Russia
Immigrated to Canada June 1924, by autumn 1926 started teaching
Ordained as minister 1929
Retired from teaching 1957, died 16 December 1985 in Winnipeg, Manitoba
Dirks, Nicholas Peter
Bom 27 April 1897 in Mare, Crimea
Parents Peter Dirks and Elisabeth Fast
One of the younger of 12 children
Elementary school in Spat
1909 family furniture business moved to Neu Schoensee, Sagradovka
1912-1916 completed higher education in Orechov, likely the state Gymnasium , staying with
his brother Alexander, who was a teacher
Became Sanitaeter , discharged in 1918
Married Anastasia in 1921, immigrated to Canada in 1925
6 children, furniture business
Died 7 September 1978 in Winnipeg, Manitoba
Dueck, Mr
Was robbed in his quarters October 1907
Robbers wanted the 500 rubles he had received from factory owner Krueger
360
He claimed not to have the money, so robbers searched the place, but did not find it
One robber shot at Dueck as they were leaving; he sustained a slight chest wall wound
In a few days the robbers were apprehended
Ediger, Kornelius (perhaps the same as Komelius Eitzen?)
Owner of a windmill in 1852
Eitzen, Johann Daniel
Bom 21 August 1838 in Berdyansk
Parents Daniel Daniel Eitzen and Helena Fast
Married Helena Eitzen, probably about 1862
Her parents were Cornelius Daniel Eitzen and Anna Peter Niessen
(There is a document which claims her maiden name was Harder)
Johann was a partner in a flour mill in Orechov
13 children, bom between 1863 and 1882, some, perhaps 3, bom in Orechov
Probably lived most of the time in Schoenwiese, Chortitza Colony, certainly between 1870
and 1880
Helena died 16 May 1914, Johann died 22 October 1915
Eitzen, Kornelius Daniel
Bom about 1795
Family came to Russia in 1795, settling in Schoenwiese, Chortitza Colony
Moved to Sparrau, Molotschna in 1829, to Orechov in 1930
Owned a windmill and an oil mill in 1852
Married Anna Peter Niessen, who was bom in 1806 in Burwalde, Chortitza Colony
Komelius died some time after 1852
Children: (there is not complete agreement of the various lists)
Aganetha - bom 15 December 1825 in Schoenwiese, Chortitza Colony
Married Heinrich Holzrichter of Grossweide, Molotschna, 5 children
Immigrated to Mountain Lake, Minnesota, crossing the ocean on the
S S Vaderland, landing in Philadelphia on 28 July 1876
Died 17 July 1879 in Mountain Lake, Minnesota
Margaretha - bom about 1828 in Schoenwiese
Anna - bom about 1830
Married Johann Schmidt, who died, then married Abram Schmidt
Total of 9 children
They probably lived in Schoenwiese
Kornelius - bom about 1831 in Orechov
Maria - bom about 1832 in Orechov
Married Wilhelm Holzrichter, probably brother of Heinrich, who married
Aganetha, 3 children
Immigrated to the USA, crossing the ocean on the S' S Vaderland , landing in
Philadelphia on 28 July 1876
Family apparently returned to Russia
Helena - bom 5 May 1840 in Orechov, baptized 1 June 1859, married Johann Daniel
Eitzen (see separate listing Johann Daniel Eitzen)
361
Heinrichs, Kornelius
Bom about 1822
Wife Maria - born about 1821
Son Jakob - bom about 1849
Moved from Schardau, Molotschna, to Orechov in 1848
Operated his own windmill in 1852
Janzen, Heinrich Johann
Bom 28 October 1863 in Orechov
Parents Johann Heinrich Janzen and Katharina Schroeder
Married Helene Thiessen, bom 21 September 1872
Children:
Johann - bom 7 December 1894 in Orechov
Married (1) Helene Belepolsky, (2) Maria Wiens
Died 2 December 1987
Heinrich - born about 1895 in Orechov, died as an infant
Olga- born 14 August 1897 in Orechov
Student at the local Gymnasium in 1916
She married Hermann Johann Lepp, a patent engineer
Had 2 children who died in infancy
Hermann was arrested and disappeared in 1937
Olga immigrated to Winnipeg
Died 1986 in Winnipeg, Manitoba
Lydia - bom about 1899 in Orechov, died as an infant
Victor - bom 14 December 1901 in Orechov
Married (1) Antonina Gluschko (2) Helene M Dyck in Winnipeg
Lived his last years and likely died in Winnipeg
Heinrich - bom 1904 in Orechov, died in 1934
Owner of a flour mill in Orechov valued at 40,000 rubles by the Forstei taxation list in 1908
Owner of an estate of 4371/2 dessiatines in 1908
Father Heinrich died 30 June 1916 in the Ural Mountain region, Russia
Helena died 1960 in Winnipeg, Canada
Janzen, Johann Heinrich
Also known as Ivan Andreievich
In one listing is called “Mill owner, salesman, estate owner, mayor of Orechov”
Bom in Schoenwiese, Chortitza Colony, 18 May 1837
Married Katharina Schroeder
Moved to Orechov some time before 1863
The flower garden of Katharina was known throughout the city
Children:
Heinrich - bom 28 October 1863 in Orechov died 30 June 1916 in Orechov (see separate
listing Heinrich Johann Janzen)
Johann - bom 13 April 1865 in Orechov, died 14 January 1912 in Okretsch, Crimea
Helena - born 25 April 1866 in Orechov, died 12 May 1933 in Simferopol, Crimea
362
Jakob - bom 28 Aug 1870 in Orechov, died 24 September 1913 in Okretsch, Crimea
Aganetha - bom 23 October 1877 in Orechov, married Jakob Jakob Toews, died 4 Aug
1956 in St. Catharines, Ontario
(see separate listing, Aganetha Toews)
Katharina - bom 25 May 1879 in Orechov, died 15 March 1929 in Genoa, Italy
Married Rik Pignatelli
Margaretha - bom 30 December 1880 in Orechov
Married Johann P Schroeder, an estate owner
They likely lived on the estate
One daughter Vera bom 26 January 1908, Johann died 15 November 1913,
Margaretha died 6 February 1940 Egoryevsk District, South Russia
Anna - bom 23 February 1886 in Orechov, died April 1937 Egoryevsk District, South
Russia
Owned a very elaborate home
Mayor of Orechov for 25 years, 1874-1899
Owner of 2 large steam-powered flour mills; encouraged other Mennonite businessmen to
locate to Orechov
During his time as mayor the governor of the province repeatedly asked him to stay on
The governor felt that it was unusual for such a city to be out of debt, even have an 11,000
ruble surplus in spite of building two large three-classroom schools and a church
Janzen received 3 medallions in recognition of his work
There was some resentment expressed by the business community because he was German
Janzen was recovering from typhus when he developed a neck carbuncle, and died in 4 days, on
16 December 1901
About 4,000 people in the funeral procession
Krieger, Johann Johann (could be Krueger?)
Daughter Maria
Daughter Margaretha
Mother Martha Krieger
Sister Margaretha
Immigrated to Canada, landing at St John on 25 December 1926, settling in Gruenthal,
Manitoba
Krueger, Johann
Owner of a machine shop and foundry in 1908
Business was worth 10,000 rubles in 1908 according to the Forstei taxation list
Produced grain and grass mowers, threshing machines, various types of mills and stoves
Martens, Abraham
Wife Anna
Daughter Katharina (Katie)
Anna died 1920, Abraham married Agnes Hubert in 1921
Immigrated to Canada in 1926, settling in Crowfoot, Alberta
Katharina worked as cook on a ranch age 16, then as housekeeper in Calgary
Gem Bible School one year
363
Married David Heidebrecht 13 November 1937, moved to Lindbrook, Alberta, then to
Abbotsford, BC in 1947, 5 children, died 14 October 2005
Neufeld, Abraham Abraham (Sr)
Bom 17 October 1820 in Kronsweide, Chortitza Colony
Married Helena Neufeld 16 November 1842, she was bom 13 March 1820, died October 1857
Married again, Helena Unrau, 1 January 1858. She was bom 16 December 1834
Moved from Kronsweide, Chortitza Colony to Orechov in 1847
In 1852 owned a flour mill in Orechov together with his brother Peter
Probably moved from Orechov to Sergeyevka, Fuerstenland Colony by 1860
Children:
Susanna - bom 1843 in Silberfeld, died 1845
Abraham - bom 5 February 1845, died 14 April 1909 (see separate listing)
Jakob - bom 8 August 1847 in Orechov, died in Winkler, Manitoba
(see separate listing Jakob Abraham Neufeld)
Katharina - bom 19 March 1850 in Orechov, died 1904
Married Franz Giesbrecht of Franzfeld Yazykovo Colony in 1872
Lived in many places with Jakob either farming or working in factories
Were pitifully poor, had 8 children
Johann - born 8 November 1852 in Orechov
Married Katharina Peters in 1875, had 6 children, she died 10 April 1919
Married again Katharina Kirsch in 1921
He lived in the Nepluyevka Colony, then later in Nikolayevka, Ignatyevo
Colony, where he died February 1922
Peter - born 6 October 1858 in Orechov, died 2 January 1914, likely in Sergeyevka
Married Helena Martens in 1884 in Sergeyevka, Fuerstenland Colony
Had 6 children
Worked in various communities, the last being the Klassen-Janzen
machine shop and foundry in Sergeyevka
Hermann - bom 24 June 1860 in Sergeyevka, Fuerstenland Colony
Married Katharina Klassen 6 February 1883 in Olgafeld, Fuerstenland
11 children
Lived in Sergeyevka, then moved to Nikolayevka about 1892
Immigrated to Canada, perhaps in 1923
Died 28 September 1931 in Winkler, Manitoba
Father Abraham Abraham (Sr) died 13 May 1886 in Steinfeld
Neufeld, Abraham Abraham (Jr)
Bom 5 February 1845 in Kronsweide, Chortitza Colony
Parents Abraham Abraham Neufeld and Helena Neufeld
Married Anna Friesen in 1871
Worked with his father in the mill in Orechov for some time, but also in Naunbrug and on a
Neustaedt estate
Had 9 children, all of whom were bom in Orechov
Very suspicious that the family history is not accurate - many seem to have had
364
4 daughters and 4 sons
Children:
Mrs Jakob Penner (first name not listed)
Abraham - bom March 1878, married,
wife, 4 daughters and 4 sons, lived in Orechov
Anna - bom 24 March 1882, married,
husband, 4 daughters and 4 sons, lived in Orechov
Johann - bom 6 March 1884
Married Anna Enns, 4 daughters and 4 sons
Lived in Orechov for some time
Died 26 October 1960 in Winnipeg, Manitoba
Elisabeth (Lisa) - bom May 1886, married,
husband, 4 daughters and 4 sons, lived in Orechov
Peter - bom 20 May 1888, lived in Orechov
Katharina (Tina) - bom 27 February 1890, married,
husband, 4 daughters and 4 sons, lived in Orechov
Maria - bom 22 March 1892, married
husband, 4 daughters and 4 sons, lived in Orechov
Jakob - bom 20 January 1895
Father Abraham Abraham Neufeld died 14 April 1919
Neufeld, Jakob Abraham
Bom 8 August 1847 in Orechov
Parents Abraham Abraham Neufeld and Helena Neufeld
Not sure how long he lived in Orechov
Married Maria M Penner 24 November 1870; she died 30 August 1905 in Canada
Married again, Katharina Penner, 14 January 1906
Jakob worked in the Molotschna Colony, farmed, then worked in the Lepp and
Wallmann factory in Chortitza, then purchased a farm in the Nepluyevka region
Immigrated to Winkler, Manitoba in 1878
11 children, bom between 1872 and 1890
Jakob died 1912 in Winkler, Manitoba (other dates of death listed as 1915 or 1921)
Buried in Winkler, Manitoba
Neufeld, Peter Abraham
Bom about 1829
Wife Susanna - bom about 1825
Daughter Susanna - bom about 1851
Owned a flour mill together with his brother Abraham
Moved from Kronsweide, Chortitza Colony to Orechov in 1850
Reimer, Anna
Bom about 1829 in Lichtenau, Molotschna
Parents Johann Johann and Sara Reimer of Kronsweide at No 57; father died before 1850
Moved to Chortitza in 1836
Moved from Kronsweide, Chortitza to Orechov in 1853
365
Listed as a worker
Reimer, Franz
Bom about 1832 in Lichtenau, Molotschna
Parents Johann Johann and Sara Reimer of Kronsweide at No 57; father died before 1850
Moved to Chortitza in 1836
Moved from Kronsweide, Chortitza Colony to Orechov in 1850
Worked as a miller
Reimer, Johann
Bom about 1833 in Lichtenau, Molotschna
Parents Johann Johann and Sara Reimer of Kronsweide No 57; father died before 1850
Moved to Chortitza in 1836
Moved from Kronsweide, Chortitza Colony to Orechov in 1853
Worked as a miller
Rempel, Mr
Bom about 1870
Parents David Rempel and Maria Duerksen
His widowed mother married Heinrich J Thiessen, formerly of Hierschau
Mr Rempel married Aganetha Eitzen
They lived in Orechov
Schellenberg, David David
In 1922 applied for food drafts for 2 people through the Mennonitische Rundschau
Presumably had a wife
Address: Gogolevskaya Street 8, Orechov
Schultz, Jakob Jakob
Bom about 1892
Wife Katharina - born about 1883
Son Jakob - bom about 1924
Immigrated to Canada on 29 May 1926, settling in Elm Creek, Manitoba
Toews, Aganetha (nee Janzen)
Bom 23 October 1877 in Orechov
Parents Johann Heinrich Janzen and Katharina Schroeder
Married Jakob Jakob Toews on 1 June 1899
Probably moved to Ekaterinoslav (later Dnepropetrovsk)
Children: Theodora, Martha, Michael, Theodor, Magdelena, Jakob, Ivan, Margaretha
Husband Jakob died 16 December 1940 in Dnepropetrovsk
Aganetha died 4 Aug 1956 in St Catharines, Ontario
Wiens, Aaron
Bom about 1766
Wife Sara - bom about 1796
Son Peter - bom about 1827, worked as miller
Moved from Rudnerweide, Molotschna to Orechov in 1852
Owner of a treadmill and oil mill in 1852
366
Johann Janzen, mayor of Orechov Katharina Janzen, wife of the mayor
of Orechov, known throughout the
city for her flower garden
The Johann Janzen family
367
Olga Janzen, granddaughter of
Mayor Johann Janzen
Olga (nee Janzen) and Hermann Lepp
He was arrested and disappeared in 1937
368
MENNONITE INSTITUTIONS
Mennonite Church
The Mennonite and the Lutheran communities, totalling about 200 people, joined in the
building of a church
The church and the school were built by 1874
They had joint services
For major festivities, however, most of the Mennonites went to the Schoenwiese Church
in the Chortitza Colony. The drama presentations and the choirs at Schoenwiese “made
it worth it” according to Olga Lepp (nee Janzen). The young people also had to meet
prospective Mennonite marriage partners
Mennonite School
The Mennonite and the Lutheran communities joined in the building and operation of a school.
The church and school were built by 1874
Alexander Peter Dirks taught there 1909 until at least 1914, possibly 1916
ORECHOV INSTITUTIONS USED BY MENNONITES
Gymnasium
Olga Janzen listed as student in 1916
Nicholas Peter Dirks probably attended 1912 to 1916
369
MENNONITE BUSINESSES
Dick, Jakob
Owned a mill with motor in 1908
Valued at 1,500 rubles in 1908
Ediger, Kornelius
Owned a windmill in 1852
Eitzen, Johann Daniel
Partner owner of a flour mill
Eitzen, Kornelius
Owned a windmill and an oil mill in 1852
Heinrichs, Kornelius
Owned a windmill in 1852
Janzen, Heinrich Johann
Owned a large steam-powered flour mill in Orechov
Valued at 40,000 rubles in 1908
He also owned an estate of 437'/2 dessiatines in 1908
Forstei tax on the estate for 1908 was 52 rubles 50 kopeks, which he paid
He himself was based, and possibly lived for some time in Mariawohl, Molotschna
Janzen, Johann Heinrich
Owned 2 large steam-powered flour mills
Encouraged other Mennonite businessmen to come to Orechov
Was mayor of Orechov 1874-1899
Krueger, Johann
Owned a machine shop and foundry manufacturing agricultural machinery
Valued at 10,000 rubles in 1908
Advertised in 1910 as producing grain and grass mowers, threshing machines for 6 or 8
horses, various types of mills and stoves
In 1904 he had 15 employees, in 1912 there were 35, and in 1914 there were 50
Neufeld, Abraham A and brother Peter A Neufeld
Owned a flour mill by 1852
Wiens, Aaron
Owned a treadmill and oil mill in 1852
There seems to have been a considerable Mennonite business community in Orechov
quite early on. There were at least 7 business enterprises by 1852; there were three windmills,
two oil mills, a treadmill and one mill where mode of power is not mentioned.
370
Johann Krueger advertising in the 1910 Christlicher
Familienkalendar, showing a grain mower/reaper
Helene and Heinrich Janzen. They likely lived in
Mariawohl, Molotschna, but owned a mill in
Orechov, as well as an estate
371
SOURCES
(for the entire Orechov chapter)
Christlicher Familienkalender, Halbstadt, Taurida, 1910, p 149
Cities and Villages of Ukraine, Kiev, 1970, pp 525-531
Der Bote
Obituary:
Dirks, Alexander Peter, 22 January 1986, p 6
Refugee Lists: 23 June 1925, p 7; 2 March 1927, p 4
Encyclopedia of Ukraine, University of Toronto Press Incorporated, Toronto, 1993
Epp, George K, “Urban Mennonites in Russia,” a chapter in the book Mennonites in Russia,
edited by John Friesen, CMBC Publications, Winnipeg, Canada, 1989, pp 246, 247,
information about Orechov largely from an interview of Olga Lepp (nee Janzen)
EWZ Lists: Mennonite extracts
Forschungen zur Geschichte und Kultur der Russlanddeutschen, Newsletter 1994, pp 63-64
Friedensstimme
2 November 1907, p 582
Friesen, P M, Die Alt-Evangelische Mennonitische Bruederschaft in Russ/and (1789-1910),
Raduga, Halbstadt, Taurida, 1911, pp 143, 152, 604
Friesen, Rudy P with Friesen, Edith Elisabeth, Building on the Past, Raduga Publications,
Winnipeg, Canada, 2004, pp 707, 708
Hiebert, Clarence, Brothers in Deed to Brothers in Need, Faith and Life Press, Newton, Kansas,
1974, p 296
Huebert, Helmut T, Hierschau: An Example of Russian Mennonite Life, Springfield Publishers,
Winnipeg, Canada, 1986, pp 164, 165, 179, 209
Huebert, Helmut T, Molotschna Historical Atlas, Springfield Publishers, Winnipeg, Canada,
2003, pp 4-6
Huebert, Helmut T, Mennonite Estates in Imperial Russia, Springfield Publishers, Winnipeg,
Canada, 2005, pp 169, 214, 229
Jahresbericht des Bevol/maechtigten der Mennonitengemeinden in Russ/and in Sachen der
Unterhaltung des Forstkommandos im Jahre 1908, pp 18, 22
List of Mennonites living outside the Molotschna Colony in 1852, Odessa State Archives
List of Mennonites living outside the Chortitza Colony in 1852, Odessa State Archives
Lohrenz, Gerhard, Heritage Remembered, CMBC Publications, Winnipeg, Canada, 1974,
pp 62, 100, 111, 112
Mennonite Brethren Herald
Obituary:
Dirks, Nicholas Peter, 24 November 1978, p 33
Heidebrecht, Katharina (Katie) (nee Martens), 9 June 2006
Mennonitische Rundschau
26 March 1901, p 10; 3 April 1901, p 6; 9 April 1902, p 4
List of people needing Food Drafts: 14 June 1922, p 7
Refugee Lists: 6 October 1926, p 9
372
Peters, Kaethe, Heinrich Thiessen 1755-1976, compiled for John Thiessen by Kaethe Peters,
Winnipeg, Canada
Quiring, Walter and Bartel, Helen, A Is Ihre Zeit Erfuellt War: 150 Jahre Bewaehrung in
Russ land, Saskatoon, Canada, 1963, pp 46, 47
Schroeder, William and Huebert, Helmut T, Mennonite Historical Atlas, Springfield Publishers,
Winnipeg, Canada, 1996, pp 63, 64
373
Chapter VI
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Table ofContents.374
History of Pologi.375
Map of Pologi “Rayon” (1972).376
Map of Pologi City (2000).377
List of People.378
Mennonite Businesses.382
Pictures of People.383
Business Pictures.384
Sources.385
374
HISTORY OF POLOGI
Pologi was likely founded in the middle of the nineteenth century as a workers’ settlement
during construction of railway lines in the region. It is situated on the Zaporozhye-Berdyansk line
as well as on a north-south railway. It is on the Konka River, and 30 km north of the eastern
Molotschna, 60 km northeast of Halbstadt and 30 km east-southeast of Orechov. Pologi is capital
of the Pologi Rayon (Region), part of the Zaporozhye Oblast. In 1989 the population was 24,300.
There is a record of a Mennonite birth in Pologi as early as 1869, although the major influx
of Mennonites was early in the twentieth century, principally 1900-1910. There were at least two,
probably three Mennonite owned flour mills in the city, the Albrecht, Bergen and Rempel, and
Rempel-Unger-Dick mills. Johann Jakob Quiring, a mill builder, lived in Pologi probably 1900-
1909, and likely constructed some of these mills. At least three Mennonite young men took a
bookkeeping course in Pologi in 1909; this could have meant the existence of a vocational or
business school in Pologi. The Mennonite community in the city remained small; there is no record
of a church or school, or even a minister. Despite the fact that some of the people came from the
Chortitza and Yazykovo colonies, most of the religious connections seem to have been to the
neighbouring Molotschna. There is a record of a Mennonite birth in 1924, so some Mennonites must
have stayed there until at least then. The Teachers College in Halbstadt (Molochansk) had an outing
to Pologi near the end of the school term in June of 1923. There must have been something really
worthwhile to go to, since they got up at 4 AM to go on this 60 km excursion.
From 1928-1937 the city was called Chubarevka, but when it received city status in 1938 it
reverted to Pologi. It is a railway junction, and many of the enterprises served the railway. There
was a building materials plant, a feed factory, an oil extraction plant and a metal stamping plant.
For Russia World War II started when Germany invaded 22 June 1941 .When Mennonite men
were being arrested and deported just prior to the Molotschna being overrun by the German forces
in September of 1941, many were first marched the 30-60 km distance to Pologi, where they were
put on trains and transported further north or east.
Current enterprises in Pologi are the “Pologi Oil Extraction Plant,” which processes 1,250
tons of sunflower seeds in one day, and “Dneprokeramika Ltd.” which manufactures and sells
sanitary ceramic supplies.
Nothing is known about remaining Mennonite buildings in the city
375
POLOGI “RAYON”
1972
According to a map published
in Encyclopedia of Ukraine
using Russian spelling
("
.Novoselovka
% >\ j»
• \ ■ ’ o Konstantinovka
Chubarevka
I Inzhyenemoye
PologT
Chapayevka
! Verbovoye
Basan S
Tarasovka/
Shevchenkovo
Konskiye » r .
v RazdoryY.
\ \ r-<
V \\v
Jm,mm***
J
Semyenovka o\
..J
7\
/V
■ ■ — ■ ■ Rayon boundary
-Railway
-Major road
O Major town
o Smaller town
376
POLOGI
ZAPOROZHYE REGION
From a map of 2000
0 Cemetery
377
LIST OF PEOPLE
(People who at one time lived in Pologi)
(Each name will appear in bold print only once)
Specific records have been found of 68 Mennonites living in Pologi, mostly involved in
the milling industry
Albrecht, Abram Abram
Formerly of Pologi, by 1922 living in Berdyansk
Requested food draft through the Mennonitische Rundschau 7 June 1922
Address: Strasse Gogolevskaya No 26, Berdyansk
Looking for Peter Loewen
Albrecht, Peter
Wife Maria Dueck
The Albrechts actually lived on the 1,000 dessiatine Ebenfeld Estate in the Pologi municipality,
but owned a large mill in Pologi
Children:
Peter - born 1911 in Pologi, moved with the family to Halbstadt, Berdyansk, Hamberg,
then to Canada in 1925, married Aganetha (Nettie), no children of their own, but
adopted 3 girls, Peter died in Edmonton about 2002, Nettie is still alive (2005)
Abram - born 30 May 1912 in Pologi, moved with the family to Halbstadt, Berdyansk,
Hamberg, then to Canada in 1925, married Aganeta Thiessen 4 February 1967
Abram died 23 February 1993 in Winnipeg, Manitoba
Heinrich - bom 25 September 1913 in Pologi, moved with the family to Halbstadt,
Berdyansk, Hamberg, then to Canada in 1925, married Margaretha, one son
Daniel bom about 1959, who was killed in a truck accident in 1972,
Margaretha died about 2001,
Heinrich is still living in Winnipeg (2005)
1917 the family moved to Halbstadt, Molotschna, then in 1920 to Berdyansk, then back to the
Molotschna in Hamberg
September 1925 they immigrated to Canada, at first staying on a farm in Starbuck, Manitoba,
then in the spring of 1926 they moved to Winnipeg
Father Peter died in 1952, Maria in 1965
Bergen, Gerhard Gerhard
Bom 30 September 1870, possibly in Neuendorf, Chortitza Colony
Parents Gerhard Bergen and Katharina Froese
Married Katharina Gerhard Rempel 27 February 1893
She was bom 29 January 1872 in Adelsheim, Yazykovo
Parents Gerhard Rempel and Helena Buhler
Gerhard was partner with Heinrich H Rempel, owning a steam-powered flour mill in Pologi,
and also later owned a mill in Tambovka
Children:
Elisabeth ?
378
Helena ?
Gerhard - bom 12 December 1893, died in government military service about 1919
Katharina - bom 25 July 1895
Johann - bom 19 May 1898 in Adelsheim, Yazykovo, married Maria Buhler, 7 children,
the first of which was bom in Tambovka, the others all in Canada, immigrated
to Canada in October 1926, settling in Drake, Saskatchewan, Johann died
25 January 1985, Maria 29 November 1985, both in Drake
Jakob - bom 29 March 1899, died in government military service about 1919
Cornelius - bom 13 November 1899, married Helena Janzen 22 October 1922,
12 children, the eldest 3 bom in Russia, immigrated to Drake, Saskatchewan in
1926
Isaak - bom 2 October 1901, married Helena Bueckert 24 June 1924, she was bom 1903,
1 son, Abram bom in 1925, immigrated to Drake, Saskatchewan October 1926,
had another 4 children, moved to Winnipegosis in 1931 with brother Abraham,
wife Helena died 16 March 1933, married Gertruda Delesky 20 August 1933,
had another 5 children, elected as deacon of the Nordheimer Mennonite Church
in 1940, died 20 November 1970
Abraham - bom 27 April 1903, lived in Pologi until parents moved to Tambovka, 1926
he immigrated to Drake, Saskatchewan, with brother Isaak moved to
Winnipegosis, Manitoba in 1931, ordained as minister of the Nordheim
Mennonite Church in 1934, married Maria Janzen in 1934, 9 children, died 15
September 1965 in Winnipegosis, funeral 19 September with many people
attending
Peter - bom 6 December 1904, died 21 June 1905
Peter - bom 27 August 1906, died 9 May 1909
Heinrich - bom 1 October 1911
Gerhard and Katharina probably lived in Adelsheim, Yazykovo until at least 1898
Not sure when they moved to Pologi
Moved to Tambovka, a new settlement, in 1914, where Gerhard also owned a mill
Lost their entire fortune during the Revolution, but were much more saddened by the deaths
of their 2 sons eight months apart, in government military service, about 1919 (White
Army ?)
They immigrated to Drake, Saskatchewan in October 1926, together with single sons
Abraham and Heinrich
At the same time married sons Johann, Cornelius, and Isaak with wives and children also
immigrated, also settling in Drake
Moved to Fork River, Manitoba in 1933, then back to Drake in the autumn of 1947
Gerhard died in Drake 15 November 1947
Katharina died in May 1948, also in Drake
Bergen, Kornelius
One of at least 6 people who took a bookkeeping course in Pologi in 1909
Dick, Mr
Partner with Mr Rempel and Mr Unger, owning a steam-powered flour mill
379
Friesen, D
Contributed 100 rubles for the Bethania Heilanstalt in October 1911
Janzen, Johann
Wife Mrs Janzen
At least 6 children, at least 5 of which were boys, in 1911 aged about 2-10 years
The Janzens lived in or near Pologi, could have been estate owners living near Pologi
They owned a car in 1910 and 1911, were therefore likely fairly wealthy
Kliewer, Mr
Wife Mrs Kliewer
Daughter Dora bom in Pologi 25 May 1902
Dora married a Mr Martens
Loepp, Abram
Wife Mrs Loepp
4 children
Refugees arrived in Rosthem, Saskatchewan 28 October 1925
Martens, Mr
Wife Mrs Martens
Daughter Anna bom in Pologi 25 January 1924
Neufeld, H
Contributed 3 rubles to a memorial fund, helping establish a bursary in honour of Minister
Abraham Goerz
Quiring, Johann Jakob
Bom 7 August 1871 in Franzfeld, Yazykovo
Parents Jakob Quiring and Sara Buhr
Married Katharina Peters
She was born 20 September 1873 in Kronsweide, Chortitza
Parents Peter Peters and Maria Janzen
Quirings had 11 children, the first 7 of which probably lived in Pologi, fifth child Katharina
is specifically recorded as having been bom in Pologi, eighth child Johann was bom in
Franzfeld in 1909, so they must have left Pologi by then
Children:
Jakob - bom 1899, died in 1920
Sarah - bom 1900
Maria - bom 1901
Peter - bom 1903, died “young”
Katharina - bom 24 February 1905 in Pologi, married Cornelius Epp, she died in
Munich, Bavaria in 1945
Johann - bom 1906, died as an infant
Susanna - bom 1907, died about 1960 in Brazil
Johann - bom 25 September 1909 in Franzfeld, Yazykovo, married Maria Siemens
25 September 1929, 4 children bom in Zaporozhye, Johann died in Siberia,
Maria died 1993 in Churitiba, Brazil
Peter - bom 1910, died in South Russia of starvation
380
Heinrich - bom about 1912, died about 1920 in South Russia
David - bom about 1913, died as an infant
Father Johann Quiring was first a landholder, apparently on a grand scale, then later became a
steam-powered flour mill builder; he built, then sold, three of them. Presumably he built
at least one mill in Pologi
After World War II, via Germany, he immigrated to Brazil with 2 daughters, definitely
Susanna, and either Sarah or Maria
Johann died 15 June 1965 in Brazil, at the age of 94
Rempel, Abram
One of at least 6 people who took a bookkeeping course in Pologi in 1909
Rempel, Heinrich H
Partner with Gerhard G Bergen, owning a steam-powered flour mill
Rempel, Mr
Partner with Mr Dick and Mr Unger, owning a steam-powered flour mill
Unger, Mr
Partner with Mr Dick and Mr Rempel, owning a steam powered flour mill
Unruh, Mr
Wife Mrs Unruh
Daughter Anna - bom 28 August 1869 in Pologi
Anna married Jakob Kornelsen
Jakob was bom 11 June 1870
They had one daughter Anna bom 14 August 1909 in Pologi
She married Jakob J Martens, lived in Mariental, Molotschna, 3 children,
Jakob Kornelsen died 14 January 1935 in Mariental
Anna married Wilhelm Bachman, had 2 more children
Anna died 7 November 1943 in Prussia, while on the “Great Trek”
Wall, Heinrich Heinrich
Bom 1 Aug 1875 in Nieder-Chortitza, Chortitza
Parents Heinrich Wall and Helena Friesen
Married Paulina Gutjahr 23 October 1903
She was bom 21 February 1882
Parents Johann Gutjahr and Mathilda Schmidt
Children:
Paulina - bom 3 August 1904
Helena - bom 28 August 1905
Olga - bom 27 December 1910 in Pologi, died 18 November 1915 in Nieder-Chortitza
Heinrich - bom 23 May 1918 in Nieder-Chortitza
Parents Heinrich and Paulina therefore definitely lived in Pologi when Olga was bom
Children Paulina and Helena may also probably bom there
They moved to Nieder-Chortiza by the time Olga died in 1915
Mother Paulina died in Nieder-Chortitza 1 February 1920
Heinrich then married Helena Mantler 18 July 1920
Children:
381
Katharina - bom 13 May 1921 in Nieder-Chortitza, died 6 October 1922 in
Nieder-Chortitza
Wife Helena died 7 May 1923
Heinrich married Maria Sawatsky 27 October 1923
Heinrich died 20 August 1931 in Osterwick, Chortitza
Wiebe, Heinrich
One of at least 6 people who took a bookkeeping course in Pologi in 1909
Woelk, Katharina
Woelk, Aganetha
Refugees who arrived in Rosthem, Saskatchewan 28 October 1925
MENNONITE BUSINESSES
Albrecht Mill
Owned by Peter Albrecht
The Albrechts had a child bom in Pologi in 1912, so they certainly lived there at that time
Apparently the best known Mennonite mill in Pologi
Bergen and Rempel Mill
Steam-powered flour mill
Owned by Gerhard G Bergen and Heinrich H Rempel
Quiring, Johann Jakob
Originally a landowner, but then became a mill builder
Said to have built 3 mills, likely some or all of the ones mentioned for Pologi
Rempel, Unger and Dick Mill
Steam-powered flour mill
Owned by Mr Rempel, Mr Unger and Mr Dick
Forstei tax assessment 12,000 rubles in 1908
382
Men taking bookkeeping course in 1909. L-r first three unknown,
then Heinrch Wiebe, Abram Rempel and Cornelius Bergen
Johann Janzen, from the
vicinity of Pologi, at the
wheel of his car, with teacher
Peter Schellenberg, 1910
Automobile belonging to
Johann Janzen, likely with
his children, 1911
383
Steam-powered flour mill owned by Gerhard G Bergen and Heinrich H Rempel
384
SOURCES
(for the entire Pologi chapter)
Albrecht, Heinrich (Henry) P, of Winnipeg, Manitoba, personal interview
Bibe! und Pflug
Obituary: Quiring, Johann Jakob, 1 July 1965
Cities and Villages of Ukraine, Kiev, 1970, pp 569-575
Der Bote
Obituaries:
Bergen, Gerhard G, 3 December 1947, p 6
Bergen, Katharina (nee Rempel), 26 May 1948, p 6
Bergen, Isaak (deacon), 29 December 1970, p 11
Der Botschafter
List of contributors to the Bethania Heilanstalt, 28 February 1912, p 3
Encyclopedia of Ukraine, University of Toronto Press Incorporated, Toronto, 1993
Epp, George K, “Urban Mennonites in Russia,” a chapter in the book Mennonites in Russia,
edited by John Friesen, CMBC Publications, Winnipeg, Canada, 1989, pp 242, 250
EWZ Lists: Mennonite extracts
Huebert, Helmut T, Hierschau: An Example of Russian Mennonite Life, Springfield Publishers,
Winnipeg, Canada, 1986, p 171
Huebert, Helmut T, Molotschna Historical Atlas, Springfield Publishers, Winnipeg, Canada,
2003, pp 103, 107
Jahresbericht des Bevollmaechtigten der Mennonitengemeinden in Russ land in Sachen der
Unterhaltung des Forstkommandos im Jahre 1908, p 30
Lohrenz, Gerhard, Heritage Remembered, CMBC Publications, Winnipeg, Canada, 1974,
pp 170, 197
Mennonitische Rundschau
Food Draft List:
7 June 1922, p 4
Obituaries:
Bergen, Abram G (minister), 22-29 December 1965, p 11
Refugee Lists:
Arrivals in Canada for October 1926, 20 April 1927, p 20
Quiring, Walter and Bartel, Helen, Als Ihre Zeit Erfuellt War: 150 Jahre Bewaehrung in
Russland, Saskatoon, Canada, 1963, p 37
Schroeder, William and Huebert, Helmut T, Mennonite Historical Atlas, Springfield Publishers,
Second Edition, Winnipeg, Canada, 1996, pp 48, 63
385
Chapter VII
EVASTOPOL
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Table ofContents.386
History of Sevastopol.387
Pictures of Sevastopol.389
Map of Sevastopol (2000).390
The Crimean War.391
List of People.393
Institutions and Businesses.395
Peter Martinovitch Friesen (1849-1914).396
Sources.406
386
HISTORY OF SEVASTOPOL
Sevastopol is near the site of the ancient Greek colony of Chersonesus, founded in 421 BC
as a democratic city state. It was the most important Greek colony in the Crimea until Scythians
overran the region and forced it to become a protectorate of King Mithradates VI. This lasted from
179 to 63 BC. In the first century AD the region became part of the Roman Empire and in the fourth
century was renamed Korsun,
being part of the Byzantine
Empire.
In the Middle Ages
Korsun was a large trading and
political centre, playing an
important role in the economic
and cultural life of the region.
It was a Genoese trade colony
until it was destroyed in 1399
by a Tatar invasion.
The modem city of
Sevastopol was founded as a
city and port by Catherine II on
the site of the Tatar village of
Akhtiar after the Crimea was
annexed by Russia in 1783. It was strongly fortified and in 1804 became the chief base of the
Russian Black Sea Fleet. Between 1797 and 1826 the settlement actually reverted back to its original
Tatar name of Akhtiar.
In the 1820s and 1830s young Mennonite entrepreneurs such as
Johann Comies loaded up produce from the Molotschna and headed south
to the Crimea to sell their goods. Sevastopol was one of the cities on this
circuit. They would then buy manufactured goods in the cities and take
them back to the colonies.
In the Crimean War (1853-1856) Sevastopol was besieged by
British, French, Turkish and Sardinian troops. The Russian resistance held
out for 349 days, the hero of the land defense being General E I Totleben.
The Russian fleet was scuttled by the Russians themselves to block the
entrance to the harbour. One of the naval heros of the war was Admiral
Paul Nakhimov, commander of the Russian navy on the Black Sea. In
1853 he had destroyed the Turkish squadron at Sinop. He was killed in the siege of the city in 1855.
Leo Tolstoy recorded the heroic efforts of the defenders in “The Tales of Sevastopol.” He himself
fought in the ranks of the besieged. The French successfully stormed the fortress of Malakhov on
the south shore of the bay in September of 1855, and three days later the Russians abandoned the
city.
After the cessation of hostilities the terms of peace were signed in Paris on 30 March 1856.
Sevastopol declined in importance as a military base and its fortifications were dismantled. With
Sevastopol Crest
Chersonesus - mins of a church
387
repeated conflicts in the area, however, fortifications were rebuilt after 1871, and in 1890 Sevastopol
again became a chief naval base.
Starting in the mid 1800s Russia was starting to develop an extensive rail system. They
tended to emphasize the regions where commodities could then easily be transported to ports.
Sevastopol came into this category. The Kursk-Kharkov-Sevastopol Railway was completed by
1875. Two types of locomotives were developed specifically for this line.
In the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-1905, most battles were won by the Japanese, with a
particularly significant defeat of the Russian Navy in the Battle of Tsushima Straits in 1905. For no
logical reason at all, the Jews were blamed for these defeats, so as a result pogroms broke out in
many cities, with Jews being killed and their property destroyed. Such a pogrom was being incited
in Sevastopol on 21 October 1905. Peter M Friesen left his sick bed, went to the market place where
the mob was collecting and stepped onto a vehicle in the middle of the crowd. He pled for his fellow
citizens to show love as Christians. The crowd miraculously dispersed.
The Sevastopol sailors mutinied during the 1905 uprisings. Sailors from the Black Sea fleet
went ashore in 1918 and terrorized districts as far north as the Molotschna Mennonite Colony. In
1920 General Peter N Wrangel had his headquarters in the city in the last stand of the White Army
against the Communists. With the Red Army closing in, he left Sevastopol aboard the cruiser
General Kornilov on 14 November; in all, 146,000 people were evacuated to Constantinople.
There never was a great Mennonite presence in Sevastopol, although Peter M Friesen lived
there for 13 years (1898-1911). In 1902, in addition to his own family, Friesen indicated that they
had 17 boarders in their house. Most of these were students in secondary schools, teacher training
schools and nursing schools. For a time, 1904 to 1910, there was an officially organized Mennonite
church in Sevastopol. The “Sevastopol Evangelical Mennonite Brotherhood.” The establishment
of this group was at the initiative of Friesen, and they also met in the Friesen home.
Friesen was also involved in political developments. He was one of the principal movers
behind the “Union of Freedom, Truth and Peace” Party which was organized shortly after the
October Manifesto of 1905, and was sometimes referred to as the “Frizen Party.” The Kadet Party,
also interested in reform, had a Sevastopol central committee. By many Sevastopol was considered
to be the centre of sectarian activity.
During World War 11 Sevastopol was again besieged, this time by invading land-based
German and Romanian armies. It fell on 3 July 1942 after eight months of resistance, during which
time the city was virtually reduced to rubble. After it was recaptured by the Red Army on 9 May
1944, reconstruction began. Sevastopol was one of nine cities named “Hero City” of the Soviet
Union because of the staunch resistance it had displayed against the invaders.
In 1954 the whole Crimea, including Sevastopol, was transferred to the Ukrainian SSR, then
it became part of the independent Ukraine in 1991. In 1995 an agreement was implemented in which
four-fifths of the Russian Black Sea Fleet would remain under Russian control, and in 1997 a further
agreement allowed Russia to base its fleet at Sevastopol for the next 20 years.
Sevastopol is a port and a major naval base. The harbour has been given over to the navy,
which controls the Black Sea and the Bosporus, so commercial vessels no longer use the deep sea
natural harbour. Industries include ship building, lumber milling, food processing and manufacture
of bricks and furniture. It is also a popular tourist destination, especially for people from the CIS.
A panorama, created by Franz Roubaud, depicting scenes from the Crimean War, was restored after
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World War II, and is a site frequently visited by tourists who are interested in history.
In 2004 the population of Sevastopol was 328,600, area was 864 square kilometres, and the
geographic coordinates 44° 36 N and 33° 31 E. Elevation within the city is up to 100 metres. While
the Crimea has mild temperatures, in winter there can be snow in Sevastopol.
View of Artillery Bay from Cape Khrustalny
St Vladimir Cathedral
Naval installations, Southern Bay
389
390
Black Sea
Crimean War
Museum of Panorama “Defense of Sevastopol
1854-1855”
Panorama “Defense of Sevastopol
1854-1855”
Storming of the Fortress of Malakhov
8 September 1855
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Crimean War
Sevastopol harbour during the Crimean War
Monument to Admiral Paul Nakhimov
Monument to Scuttled Ships
Monument to General E I Totleben
LIST OF PEOPLE
(People who at one time lived in Sevastopol)
(Each name will appear in bold print only once)
In all, 28 Mennonites are recorded as having lived or stayed in Sevastopol, by far the best
known being Johann Comies, and of course historian P M Friesen.
Cornies, Johann
As a young man, in the 1820s, while living in the Molotschna, he packed his wagon with
hams, sausages, lard, butter and eggs, and headed for the Crimea, where he visited
Feodosia, Simferopol and Sevastopol to sell his goods
Friesen, Peter Martin (Martinovitch)
(see separate biography)
Bom 20 April 1849 in Sparrau, Molotschna
Parents Martin Jakob Friesen and Helena Klassen
The family owned a small farm, a treadmill, and his father built wooden mills
Martin was the fifth of seven children
He was a student of Isaak Peters in Dorfschule in Sparrau, student of P J Neufeld
at the Steinbach Estate
Teachers in Halbstadt Zentralschule were Unruh and Molyarov
Studied in Switzerland 2-3 years, then Odessa, followed by Moscow for a year
1873 appointed teacher at the Halbstadt Zentralschule
1874 achieved State Elementary School Certificate in Odessa
Continued teaching at the Zentralschule in Halbstadt, being principal 1880-1886
Married Susanna Fast 1 September 1873
Her parents were Johann and Susanna Fast
Children:
Susanna - bom 1874 in Halbstadt
Agatha - bom 1878, died of rheumatic fever at age 16, in 1894 in Odessa
Johann (Haenschen) - bom 1881 or 1882, died age 2 of diphtheria
Olga - bom 1885
Paul - bom about 1887, served in Sanitaetsdienst
Dima - bom about 1888, died of whooping cough age 3 in Odessa
September 1886 to June 1888 lived in Wohldemfuerst, Kuban
1888 to March 1896 lived in Odessa
1896 to 1898 recuperated on Estate Mailschokrak of friend Peter Heese
1898 to 1911 lived in Sevastopol, lived on his “independent means”
Household large, 3 children, a niece, a number of foster children, one named Caroline;
in 1902 had 17 boarders, mostly students in various phases of their education
Organized a house church, which officially existed 1904-1910
Involved on political organizations:
Own party, “Union of Freedom, Truth and Peace” called the “Frizen Party”
Also for a time joined the Kadet Party
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hi the meantime writing a history of the Mennonite Brethren Church, finally published by
Raduga in 1911
Involved in Inter-Mennonite organizations, was a memmber of the KfK
Moved to Tiege, Molotschna in 1911
Died 19 October 1914 in Tiege
Janzen, J D
Bom 1874 in Gnadenfeld, Molotschna
Zentralschule in Gnadenfeld
Teacher on an estate at age 17
Two years later teacher in Franzthal, where he stayed until 1905, learned accounting during
the summer holidays
Moved to Karassan, Crimea, accountant for a retail store
Established his own bookstore, and later wood and metal works
Chairman of the board which established Karassan Zentralschule and Maedchenschule
Also was a teacher in the Maedchenschule
1918 moved to Sevastopol, where he was a broker for a trading company which dealt in
foreign countries
1924 immigrated to Mexico, then in 1926 to Aldergrove, BC, where he died
Students
Seventeen students boarded at the P M Friesen home in 1902
Students at:
Secondary Schools
Teacher Training School
Nursing School
Vogt, Abram
Involved in a shoot-out in which 2 men were killed
Sentenced to death, awaiting execution in jail in Sevastopol in 1907
Peter M Friesen called to administer the Lord’s Supper to him on the last night
Vogt was ready to embrace forgiveness and celebrated the Lord’s supper with Friesen
Vogt asked Friesen to write a letter to his mother, which he did
The prisoner was hanged later that night
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MENNONITE AND OTHER
INSTITUTIONS AND BUSINESS
Sevastopol Evangelical Mennonite Brotherhood
Founded in 1904 at the initiative of P M Friesen
Ecumenical, open to all
20 persons met regularly for the Sunday worship service, with monthly celebration of the
Lord’s Supper
8 of the worshipers were church members (presumably meaning in some other established
church congregation)
Closed in 1910; the ecclesiastical circumstances had changed, members had moved away,
Friesen’s health was failing, Friesens moved from their house, which had been the
officially registered meeting place
Continued to function as a house church, at least until the Friesens left in 1911
Union of Freedom, Truth and Peace: Foes of all Violence, Proponents of Unceasing Civil,
Economic and Moral-Spiritual Progress Party
Organized by P M Friesen
Other Evangelicals were also members, such as 1 S Prokhanov and Odinstov.
Referred to as the “Frizen Party”
Sevastopol was the permanent location of the Central Bureau of the party
Original mandate was accepted late October or early November 1905
Friesen and another Mennonite Johann Isaak were among the original seven signatories
Mandate was radicalized on 28 November 1905, calling for a constitutional monarchy, single
chamber parliament to enact all laws, universal suffrage, progressive labour legislation,
universal free education for children, elimination of poverty, provision of land at just
prices to the peasants, freedom of conscience, speech and assembly, removal of
privileged status for any religion
Did not survive beyond 1906, fielded no candidates in the Duma elections
Schools attended by Mennonites
Mittel and Zentra/schule and likely Gymnasium
Teacher Training School
Nursing School
In 1902 there were 17 boarders at the P M Friesen home, students in these various
institutions
J D Janzen
Originally a teacher, then turned to business in Karassan, Crimea
1918 moved to Sevastopol, where he was a broker for a trading company, which dealt in
foreign commodities
1924 immigrated to Mexico, then to Canada
395
PETER MARTINOVITCH FRIESEN
(1849-1914)
The Man Behind the History
By Abe J Dueck, Winnipeg
Peter Martinovitch Friesen was bom 20 April 1849 in the small village of Sparrau in the
Molotschna Colony. He was the fifth of seven children of Martin Jakob Friesen and Helena Klassen.
His parents owned a small farm and also received additional income from the operation of a
treadmill. His father was probably also a mill builder in Sparrau. Peter was a student of Isaak Peters
in elementary school in Sparrau. then seemingly went to the Steinbach Estate where P J Neufeld was
the teacher. His teachers in the Halbstadt Zentralschule were Komelius Unruh and Mark Lukitsch
Molyarov.
Peter’s biographer, Franz Thiessen, states that the family’s income was not sufficient to
allow Peter to continue his education beyond the primary level. He surmises that if it had not been
for several well-to-do men who saw the gifts of this young lad and gave the financial support,
Friesen would never have achieved his status as an educator and writer. It seems more likely,
however, that other factors than finances were more important in influencing him to pursue further
studies.
Details of Friesen's religious development are not known, but several factors are clear.
Friesen's mother was converted as a result of reading Ludwig Hofhaker’s sermons. We are told that
the family owned a copy of Jakob Denner’s book, although it is unlikely that there was much other
reading material of any kind in the home. Nothing is known about Friesen's father. However, given
our knowledge of the religious unrest in the colony at the time and his mother’s influence on him,
it is not surprising that Friesen also felt the impact of the religious renewal movement and became
converted at the age of fifteen or sixteen. He soon joined the Mennonite Brethren Church and was
called upon to preach before long. By this time the June reforms had brought a degree of stability
to the young church after the period referred to as the Froehliche Richtung (Exuberant Movement).
Friesen indicates that he could not recall any trace of the Froehliche Richtung, which had brought
such disrepute to the Brethren movement, when he joined the church.
Friesen embarked on a radically new course when he decided to pursue further education at
various schools. This would take him outside of the context of the Mennonite communities of
southern Russia. First he went to Switzerland with his friend Komelius Unruh for two or three years,
beginning about 1870. He may also have studied briefly in Odessa and spent most of the year 1872-
1873 studying in Moscow, emphasizing the study of Russian language. While Friesen received
encouragement and support from influential Mennonites to study abroad in preparation for a teaching
career in the Mennonite community, there were also those who viewed this as a potentially serious
threat to his faith. Fellow Mennonite Brethren sought to dissuade him, although without success.
Thiessen speculates that Friesen was either excommunicated for his obstinacy or that he voluntarily
left the church. In any case, he appears to have lost his earlier faith and essentially became a
rationalist.
Whatever Friesen’s own faith commitment was following his studies, he still had a strong
sense of allegiance to the Mennonite community. In 1873 he was invited to join the teaching staff
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at the Halbstadt secondary school. According to Peter Braun he received his teacher’s certificate
from Odessa in 1874. He continued at the Halbstadt school until 1886, serving as principal from
1880-1886. When he resigned, it was because he did not have the heart to dismiss a fellow teacher.
There is relatively little information available about Friesen’s teaching career. Friesen
promoted reforms, including better training in the Russian language, at a time of radical change in
the educational system. He criticized the religious leaders for their control of the schools and
advocated various improvements in the curriculum. It was under his leadership that pedagogical
courses were introduced - the first such courses taught in the Mennonite colonies. During his last
years as principal the school board was led by Peter Heese, a friend and former colleague of Friesen
who became the owner of a large estate.
A number of significant events transpired in the meantime. One of these was his marriage
to Susanna Fast on 1 September 1873. She was the daughter of Johann and Susanna Fast and the
sister of an itinerant evangelist, also named Johann Fast. Children born to the couple were:
1. Susanna (Susie) - bom in 1874 in Halbstadt. She later studied in Switzerland and Paris.
She married Heinrich H Janzen, who was a teacher at the deaf mute school in Tiege.
2. Agatha - bom in 1878. She died of rheumatic fever at the age of 16 in 1894 in Odessa.
3. Johann (Haenschen) - bom 1881 or 1882. He was not to live long. He contracted
diphtheria at the age of two and became deathly ill. This brought about a major crisis
in Friesen’s life. He pleaded with God to save his son’s life and struggled deeply
with the question of whether there was a God at all. When the child died, Friesen’s
doubts about God seemed confirmed. But after an intense struggle, Friesen
recaptured his faith and was inwardly renewed.
4. Olga - bom about 1885.
5. Paul - bom about 1887, he served in the Sanitaetsdienst
in 1914.
6. Dima - bom about 1888, died of whooping cough at the
age of three in Odessa.
After the death of Haenschen, and following
Friesen’s intense inner struggle, he was ordained to the
ministry in the Mennonite Brethren Church and the
following year he was asked to write the twenty-fifth
anniversary history of the Mennonite Brethren Church.
Fora brief period, September 1886 to June 1888, the
Friesens lived in the Kuban at Wohldemfuerst. Little
information is available regarding this period. Susanna
Friesen became a member of the Mennonite Brethren
Church during this time. Friesen visited many
congregations and collected material pertaining to his
history project. He also actively represented several
congregations to the government officials and departments
to secure permission to construct meeting (worship) houses.
One case involved the Rueckenau congregation in the
Molotschna, and another was the Spat congregation in the
*
Susanna and Peter M Friesen
and infant daughter
397
Crimea, an affiliate of Rueckenau. Permission was granted for both buildings in 1887. Part of the
problem that needed to be resolved to gain permission was the question of Mennonite Brethren
identity - the authorities wanted to know whether the group was Baptist or Mennonite. This, of
course, was an ongoing issue for Russian Mennonite Brethren.
In June 1888 the Friesens were on the move again, this time to Odessa where they resided
until March 1896. Although there were some Mennonites in Odessa, Friesen’s primary
responsibility was to the Stundists and to German Baptists. He described himself as the pastor of
a German Baptist congregation. In many ways this was a difficult period because of the suspicion
of the Stundists and the extreme opposition toward them by the Orthodox Church. Stundism was
a revival movement beginning in the Ukraine in the latter part of the nineteenth century, largely as
the result of the influence of pietistic Mennonites and Lutherans. It essentially paralleled the
beginnings of the Baptist movement in Russia, and often there were close linkages with Mennonite
Brethren leaders.
In 1895 Friesen also spent some time ministering to both old Church ( Kirchliche ) and
Mennonite Brethren in Sagradovka. The main purpose seems to have involved representation to
government on behalf of the Nikolaifeld Mennonite and the Tiege Mennonite Brethren churches.
Both churches were closed by the officials in 1896, mainly because of suspicion of the brethren, but
the decision was reversed in 1898.
By this time Friesen was experiencing serious health problems. According to a letter to the
Zionsbote, the main reason why the Friesens left Odessa to spend two years on the estate of friend
Peter Heese, at Mailschokrak, was to allow Friesen to recuperate. His doctors advised him not to
engage in church work or to travel. However, according to Thiessen, a significant additional factor
was the danger to which he was now exposed because of his advocacy of the Stundists. His wife and
family had already moved in advance.
The time spent on the estate was a time of crisis, not only for Friesen himself, but also for
his wife. Friesen compared his experience to Jonah’s in the belly of a whale. Because of his illness,
he feared that he would never again be able to work as before. Fortunately, Friesen was adequately
provided for materially. Eventually a measure of health did return and for reasons of climate,
schools and loneliness, the family moved to Sevastopol, a major seaport on the Black Sea, where
they resided for the next thirteen years (1898 to 1911). Two daughters, Susanna and Olga, son Paul,
and a niece who was residing with them, were preparing for exams at the time. Other boarders also
resided with them, most of whom were at various stages in their educational careers - in secondary
schools, teacher training schools or nursing schools. In 1902 Friesen indicated that there were
seventeen boarders in addition to their own children and foster children. Friesen became very
involved in counseling and advising the students, which created additional stress for him.
The number of Mennonites residing in Sevastopol was relatively small. A small house
church of about 20 persons met regularly in the Friesen home for Sunday worship and monthly
celebration of the Lord's Supper. Eight of these were church members. The Friesens also received
visitors frequently, including vacationers who spent time at the local beach, ministers, missionaries
from India and guests from various countries.
In 1907, while at Sevastopol, Friesen had an experience which made a deep impression on
him. One day the local police informed him that he was to administer the Lord’s Supper to a prison
inmate. Friesen could only speculate that it must be a Mennonite who had been condemned to die -
398
otherwise such a call seemed unlikely. Late at night he was ushered into the prison and, true enough,
it was a young man named Abram Vogt who had been involved in a shoot-out during which two men
were killed. Vogt and his companions were sentenced to be hanged.
After telling his story, Vogt was ready to embrace forgiveness and Friesen offered to
celebrate communion with him. After placing a small white cloth on a dirty prison table the two men
celebrated together. Before Friesen departed Vogt asked him to write his mother, and inform her
about what had happened, which Friesen subsequently did. Vogt was executed later that night. But
for Friesen the incident was a sad commentary on the failure of the Mennonite community to live
up to the ideals of the gospel.
Friesen continued his work on the history of the Mennonite Brethren Church and also spent
time on a draft of the Confession of Faith published in 1902. He hoped that this document would
also be accepted by the American Mennonite Brethren, as he indicated in a letter to John F Harms.
Friesen was concerned in general about the distancing of American Mennonite Brethren from
Russian Mennonite Brethren.
For a time there was an officially organized “Sevastopol Evangelical Mennonite
Brotherhood.” It was founded in 1904 and officially closed in 1910. The establishment of this
congregation was entirely the initiative of Friesen, and he sent letters to Mennonite ministers and
elders as well as to evangelical Baptist groups concerning the same. The church was an ecumenical
venture and was open to “all those who believed in Jesus Christ and demonstrated a love of all the
brethren in word and deed.” This emphasis was in keeping with the Allianz spirit which Friesen had
already manifested and which gave rise to a separate Allianz church. The Sevastopol congregation
closed about six years later. Friesen stated that the reasons for its closure were that ecclesiastical
circumstances had changed, members had moved away, Friesen’s health was failing, and he was
moving away from the house which was officially registered as the meeting place. A house
congregation continued to function thereafter, at least until Friesen left in 1911.
Friesen by no means limited his activities to Mennonites. He had constant contacts with
others, including the German Baptists and especially the Russian Baptists and Stundists. The
Stundists regarded Friesen as someone who could help them achieve recognition by government
authorities as well as help them deal with the Russian Orthodox Church. Thiessen refers to a lengthy
statement written by Friesen on behalf of the Stundists, as well as a personal letter which he wrote
to the Chief Procurator of the Holy Synod, Konstantin Petrovitsch Pobedonostzev. The letter was
very direct and admonished the official not to persecute Christians. It was obviously a very risky
undertaking by Friesen. He knew that he might well be exiled for his bold action. Indeed, before
long Friesen was under police surveillance, which lasted for approximately six months. But one day
Friesen was surprised to receive a brief response directly from the Procurator. It quoted the Scripture
from Acts 10:34: “I now see how true it is that God has no favourites, but that in every nation the
man who is God-fearing and does what is right is acceptable to him.” After that Friesen was left in
peace.
The broader political events which were taking place in Russia during these years also had
a profound impact on Friesen. The years 1904 and 1905 brought a particularly severe crisis to the
country. Russia was engaged in a war with Japan which had not gone well; unrest in the country as
a whole had increased for a long time because of unsuccessful attempts at reform. In 1905 the
various forces of discontent finally coalesced into a revolution which forced Czar Nicholas to take
399
action. On October 30 the Czar issued the October Manifesto which included the guarantees of
individual liberties and the right to elect a Duma which would henceforth need to approve all laws.
The Czars had been following rigorous policies of Russification and repression of minorities,
especially the Poles, Finns and Jews. Pogroms, or wholesale massacres of Jews, were widespread.
The failure of the Russo-Japanese War was blamed on the Jews. Friesen reports how he felt
compelled to intercede on their behalf, even though it meant that his own life would be in danger.
He relates how he left his sickbed on 21 October 1905 to proceed to the marketplace in Sevastopol
where an angry crowd gathered and threatened to take vengeance on the local Jews. In a dramatic
move Friesen stepped onto a vehicle in the midst of the crowd and pled with them to show love.
After all, they called themselves Christians. Miraculously, it seemed, the crowd dispersed.
Friesen was also involved more directly in political activity. In later years Friesen was
probably reluctant to write much about his earlier political activities. Following the October
Manifesto of 1905, a number of political parties emerged. Friesen was an organizer of one which
referred to itself as the “Union of Freedom, Truth and Peace: Foes of all Violence, Proponents of
Unceasing Civil, Economic and Moral-Spiritual Progress.” A Russian Communist author, A I
Klibanov, refers to Friesen as heading a “political organization uniting bourgeois elements of the
Baptist, Evangelical Christian and Mennonite churches.” The members, he claims, were mostly
Mennonites from the Crimea, but also other evangelicals such as I S Prokhanov and Odinstov. The
group, in fact, was referred to as the “Frizen Party,” and Sevastopol became the permanent location
of the Central Bureau of the party. Sevastopol was considered the centre of sectarian activity by
many.
The original mandate of the party was accepted in late October or early November. Terry
Martin states that the most distinctive characteristic of the Union’s platform was its strong Christian
character. Friesen and one other Mennonite, Johann Isaak, were among the seven signatories.
Klibanov quotes their appeal as follows:
Time is precious and the matter is urgent, therefore let us create out of ourselves one
indivisible, holy and large family, bound by freedom, truth and peace, but not by quarrels,
theft, arson, blood-letting, destruction and other disorders, to which anarchists and
revolutionaries call us...Let us enter into a good union with each other...let us peacefully
elect our representatives, who will rule from our heart with our Czar and wipe away the
tears of our motherland, for which we call for God’s blessing, and may he preserve our
sovereign emperor, his house, his good counselors, and us all.
The mandate, which was radicalized on 28 November 1905, called for such things as a
constitutional monarchy and a parliament with a single chamber which would pass all laws. It also
called for universal suffrage, progressive labour legislation, universal free education of children, the
elimination of poverty and provision of land at just prices to the peasants, freedom of conscience,
speech and assembly, and the removal of the privileged status of any religion. The radicalized
version brought the policies of the party into line with the Kadet Party and Friesen himself became
an honorary member of the Sevastopol Kadet Central Committee. The evangelical leader, I S
Prokhanov, also joined the Friesen party at this time. Martin suggests that this likely pushed the
party further to the left.
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In February 1906 Friesen withdrew from the Kadet Party, claiming that it had moved to the
left and that it was too aligned with a religious party, namely the Jews. Friesen was severely
criticized by the leader of the Kadets, Dikii, for veering to the right. Friesen was suspected of being
concerned with the support of rich Mennonite landholders who feared expropriation of their property
if the Kadets had their way. Friesen did appeal for Mennonite support, even though he knew that
“many will find our political program far too radical - on the women’s right to vote, and the land
question...” But he thought that the proposed policies were the minimum to prevent revolution,
which Mennonites in isolated villages would not understand.
The Union itself did not survive beyond 1906 and fielded no candidates in the Duma
elections. Friesen apparently criticized the “leftist slant” evidenced in some of the party. A
reorganized group was led by Ivan Prokhanov, who founded a newspaper to propagate his views.
Klibanov concludes that in general the Baptists (including Mennonites) played a counter¬
revolutionary role in Russia from 1905 to 1907, helping “the ruling classes to curtail the front of the
revolutionary struggle.” Friesen is seen as being even more conservative than his Baptist allies and
as “the representative of large capitalist landowners and industrialists.”
Friesen attributed the failure of the party among Mennonites to their innate conservatism and
he became quite bitter. Martin suggests that despite this that Friesen himself was not far removed
from this conservative mind set, patriotism and monarchy, and that “the radical planks in his
program, with the exception of the religiously motivated ones, were concessions to the times, not
matters of principle...” In the end, he states, the Mennonite political opinion was one which was
“tried and abandoned.” While this is certainly true with regard to some of the party’s policies, it
probably does not adequately recognize those policies which tried to address the economic
disparities.
On the whole the view of Friesen which emerges with respect to the political and social
realities is that he, like most Mennonites, was staunchly supportive of the Czar but hoped for some
liberalization of the Czarist policies. He had already revealed himself as supportive of
Russianization of education and
language among the
Mennonites. The ideal type of
government, in his view, was to
be patterned after the
constitutional monarchy of
Great Britain. The plight of the
peasants was to be rectified, but
Friesen did not believe in
radical and sudden change. The
system which had produced
Mennonite wealth was basically
sound, but needed some
corrective measures.
Despite Friesen’s
essentially conservative social
and political philosophy, again
401
and again he demonstrated his concern for the weak and oppressed, not simply through acts of
charity but by his own identification with them. The Friesen home was always open to others. The
circumstances under which a foster child, Caroline, came to their home are not known. At one point
Friesen spent a brief period in prison because he had intervened on behalf of someone who was
accused of robbery.
After his sojourn in Sevastopol Friesen spent a brief period of time in Moscow and expended
considerable effort ministering to young people who were studying in that city. From there he
moved to Tiege in the Molotschna Colony where he spent the final years of his life in somewhat
lowly circumstances. During this time he was
particularly active in inter-Mennonite affairs.
He was a member of the Committee on Church
Affairs ( K o m mission f u e r
Kirchenangelegenheiten - KfK) for several
years. In 1910, when delegates of all the
Mennonite bodies met together as part of the
General Conference of Mennonites in Russia,
Friesen was elated. He was an active participant
in the consultations which sought to bring all
Mennonites under a single legal umbrella,
including a common constitution. Early in
1914, shortly before his death, he suffered
severe disappointment because of the failure of
the project due to ill-will of some of the
participants.
One of Friesen’s long-term assignments
was writing the history of the Mennonite
Brethren Church, commemorating its twenty-
Alt-Evangelische Mennonitische Bruederschaft five years of existence. Obviously his work
in Russland (1789-1910) took him well beyond the 1885 date and the
scope of his research and collection of materials
broadened, but the final outcome was worth the wait. “Z)/e Alt-Evangelische Mennonitische
Bruederschaft in Russland (1789-1910) im Rahmen der mennonitischen Gesamtgeschichte' ’ was
published by the Raduga publishing house of Halbstadt in 1911.
For many years Friesen’s book was acknowledged as the most important historical work and
collection of documents in Russia. Although it was commissioned by the Mennonite Brethren, when
it appeared it was much more. The German title itself is evidence that Friesen intended it as a much
broader history and he placed it in the broad interpretive framework of Mennonite history. Even the
title, however, did not refer to the fact that the book included significant sections on American
Mennonites, and not only those of Russian background.
In recent decades, however, many other sources, particularly from Russian archives, have
been discovered. The result has been that Friesen’s work has diminished somewhat in significance,
especially as it relates to the broader social, economic and political realities. Relatively less has been
added to the strictly religious or churchly documentation pertaining to the Russian Mennonites. But
402
to date most of the more comprehensive studies of the Russian Mennonites still rely extensively on
P M Friesen. Many of the documents in the Friesen collection are still not available elsewhere, and
thus Friesen’s work will continue to be a benchmark for much scholarly work. The book has been
translated into English, and another German version has also been published.
Peter M Friesen died 19 October 1914, a few months after the out break of World War I and
near the end of one of the most significant eras of Mennonite history. A tribute appeared in October
in the Friedensstimme, written by Benjamin B Janz. According to the tribute one of the greatest joys
in Friesen’s final days was the realization that Mennonite young men were serving in the medical
corps, thereby showing their love and loyalty to their fellow citizens. He wrote his son Paul in
Moscow that he was not to return home for his father’s funeral, that many other sons could not see
their fathers during this critical time, and that caring for the sick and wounded was their primary
responsibility. Nevertheless Paul did see his father just prior to his death, but he returned to his
duties as Sanitaeter before the funeral which took place at the Ohrloff church on October 23. Three
ministers spoke at the funeral: Heinrich Unruh, Johannes Janzen and Jakob W Reimer.
It is unfortunate that Friesen became known almost entirely for his work as Mennonite
Brethren historian and the magnum opus which was published only four years before his death. The
book actually represents a relatively small part of his life’s endeavors. His contemporaries knew him
more for his extensive involvements in a broad range of activities including education, inter-
Mennonite dialogue, relationship development with Russian and other evangelicals, political
activism and various humanitarian concerns. It would be difficult if not impossible to find another
Russian Mennonite leader who had the breadth of awareness and insight into Russian society and
who sought so hard to come to terms with how Mennonites might find their place within that society.
The Russian Mennonite world was changing, and Friesen was aware that Mennonites could not
continue to live much longer on the naive assumption that they were isolated and protected from the
rest of society.
Although Friesen was more aware than most Mennonite leaders of the disruptive forces at
work within Russian society as a whole, as well as within the Mennonite communities in particular,
he certainly did not foresee and could not have been prepared for the changes that were about to take
place. He was a Russian patriot with unquestioned loyalty to the Czar. His experience with the 1905
Revolution did not equip him to deal with the critical period ahead and, to the extent that Mennonites
were a favoured ethno-religious minority, Friesen did not seriously challenge the status quo. He
showed empathy and concern for the poor and the weak, interceding on their behalf and even risking
his life for them, but he did not seriously challenge those with the wealth and power to help bring
about fundamental change.
On the religious front Friesen can rightly be called a “pan-Mennonite.” He spent much time
seeking to resolve the differences between the different Mennonite bodies, the so-called Kirch/iche,
the Allianz and the Brethren. At times he chastised the Brethren severely for their narrow¬
mindedness; at other times he was critical of the religious leaders on the other side. He was admired
by many on both sides. With respect to the Kleine Gemeinde and other generally more conservative
groups who had left in the 1870s he was certainly critical and at times unfair. But scholars will
probably never agree about who among the various Mennonite groups at the time was most faithful
to the Anabaptist vision as articulated by recent scholars. Friesen was certainly strongly influenced
by the evangelical-pietist movement in Europe and worked closely with the Baptists and other
403
evangelical groups in Russia. But Pietism was a complex movement itself and its relationship to the
Anabaptists is not easily assessed. None of the Mennonite groups in Russia in the nineteenth century
would have measured up very well when compared to the idealized descriptions of Anabaptism in
some twentieth-century Anabaptist scholarship. But P M Friesen was part of, and an instrument of,
a religiously reinvigorated Mennonite community as a whole at the beginning of the twentieth
century. Without him the Mennonite community could probably not have survived as well as it did.
Sources:
Braun, Peter, “Peter Martinovitch Friesen, 1849-1914, Mennonite Life, October 1948, p 8
Der Bote
11 October 1978, p 6
Der Botsehafter
7 December 1905, p 2; 30 December 1905, pp 2-4; 19 January 1906, p 3
Dueck, Abe J, “Mennonites, the Russian State and the Crisis of Brethren and Old Church
Relations in Russia, 1910-1918,” Mennonite Quarterly Review , October 1995,
pp 453-486
Ens, Adolf, “Mennonite Education in Russia” in John Friesen ed., Mennonites in Russia: Essays
in Honour of Gerhard Lohrenz, CMBC Publications, 1989, pp 75-97
Friedensstimme
19 February 1911, pp 6-7; 23 February 1911, pp 3-4; 26 February 1911, pp 6-7;
2 March 1911, pp 5-6; 25 October 1914, p 3
Friesen, Abraham, ed. P M Friesen and His History: Understanding Mennonite Brethren
Beginnings , Centre for Mennonite Brethren Studies, Fresno, California, 1979, many
pages
Friesen, P M, Glaubensbekenntnis der Vereinigten Christlichen Taufgesinnten
Mennonitischen Bruedergemeinde in Russ I and, Halbstadt, 1902
Friesen, P M, Die Alt-Evangelische Mennonitische Bruederschaft in Russland (1789-1910),
Raduga, Taurida, Russia, 1911, many pages. Friesen states (p 694) that Martin Friesen
of Sparrau built many mills for Russian peasants and noblemen as well as a wooden
threshing machine driven by a horse-gin. Although he does not identify this Martin
Friesen as his father, it seems very likely that he was. If so, it does not seem very
plausible that Friesen came from a poor family.
This book was published in English, translated and edited by J B Toews et al, and published
by Board of Christian Literature, General Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches,
Fresno, California, 1978
Friesen, P M, Fin Mennonitischer Schaecher. Drei Briefe von Prediger P MF, published by
John J Kroeker, Hepburn, Saskatchewan
Friesen, P M, Konfession oder Sekte? Der Gemeinsame Konvent in Schoenwiese am 7 Maerz
und die Kommission in Halbstadt am 11 April 1914, Raduga, 1914
Janz, Benjamin B, “P M Friesen,” Friedensstimme, 25 October 1914, pp 3-4
Janzen, Jakob, “Peter Martynowitsch Friesen, Christlicher Familienka/endar, 1918,
pp 118-124
404
Klibanov, Aleksander Illich, History of Religious Sectarianism in Russia (1860s-1917), tr
from the 1965 edition by Ethel Dunn, ed by Stephen P Dunn, Pergamon Press,
Willowdale, Ontario, 1982, pp 317-321
Kroeker, Abraham, “Wie im Jahre 1905 einer Judenhetze vorgebeugt wurde,” in
Christlicher Familienka/endar, 1918, pp 149-151
Kroeker, Abraham, “Prediger Peter Martinowitsch Friesen” in Unsere Brueder in Not:
Bilder vom Leidensweg der deutschen Kolonisten in Russ land, Verlag von Theodor
Urban, Striegau, Germany, 1930, pp 30-37
Loewen, Harry, “Condemned to Die,” in No Permanent City: Stories from Mennonite History
and Life, Herald Press, Waterloo, Ontario and Scottdale, Pennsylvania, 1993,
pp 152-155
Martin, Terry, “The Mennonites and the Russian State Duma,” 1905-1914, in The Donald
W Treadgold Papers in Russian, East European and Central Asian Studies, No. 4,
Jackson School of International Studies, University of Washington, Seattle,
Washington, 1996, pp 11-20
Odessaer Zeitung
14/26 July 1888, p 2; 20 September/2 October 1888, p 2; 13/25 October 1888, p 1-2;
15/28 February 1908, p 3
Plett, Delbert, “Bergthaler-Chortitzer Friesens,” Preservings, December 1997, p 3
Plett, Delbert, “Separatist Pietism,” Preservings, June 1998, pp 12-15
Schellenberg, Bernhard, “P M Friesen,” Mennonitische Rundschau, 5 January, 19 January,
23 February, 1944
Schellenberg, Bernhard, “Zur Unterhaltung,” Mennonitische Rundschau, 5 January 1944, p 3
Thiessen, Franz, P MFriesen 1849-1914: Personal Recollections, Board of Christian
Literature, General Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches, Winnipeg, Manitoba,
1974, many pages
Thiessen, Franz, “My Recollections of P M Friesen,” Mennonite Life, October 1948, pp 9-10, 45
Urry, James, None But Saints: The Transformation of Mennonite Life in Russia 1789-1889,
Hyperion Press, Winnipeg, Manitoba, 1989
Urry, James, “ The Mennonite Commonwealth in Late Imperial Russia (1880-1917): The
Pursuit of Power and Privilege,” chapter in forthcoming book, CMBS, Winnipeg,
Manitoba
Zionsbote
14 May 1902, pp 2-3, 5; 28 May 1902, p 2; These two references are a letter which P M
Friesen wrote to John F Harms, editor of Zionsbote. He makes one reference to his
health “Nieren-Lungen- und Herzleiden und dadurch oft peinvolle Nervoesetaet,”
This is fairly vague and could refer to many conditions, such as heart failure or some
kind of nephritis as well as psychological depression
13 December 1914; 30 December 1914, p 5
405
SOURCES
(for the entire Sevastopol chapter)
Braun, Peter, “Peter Martinovitch Friesen, 1849-1914,” Mennonite Life, October 1948, p 8
Der Bote
11 October 1978, p 6
Der Botschafter
7 December 1905, p 2; 30 December 1905, pp 2-4; 19 January 1906, p 3
Dueck, Abe J, “Mennonites, the Russian State and the Crisis of Brethren and Old Church
Relations in Russia, 1910-1918,” Mennonite Quarterly Review , October, 1995,
pp 453-486
Durksen, Martin, Die Krim war unsere Heimat, self-published, Winnipeg, Canada, 1977,
pp 159-160
Ens, Adolf, “Mennonite Education in Russia,” in John Friesen ed., Mennonites in Russia: Essays
in Honour of Gerhard Lohrenz, CMBC Publications, 1989, pp 75-97
Friedensstimme
19 February 1911, pp 6-7; 23 February 1911, pp 3-4; 26 February 1911, pp 6-7;
2 March 1911, pp 5-6; 25 October 1914, p 3
Friesen, Abraham, ed P MFriesen and His History: Understanding Mennonite Brethren
Beginnings, Centre for Mennonite Brethren Studies, Fresno, California, 1979, many
pages
Friesen, P M, Glaubensbekenntnis der Vereinigten Christlichen Taufgesinnten
Mennonitischen Bruedergemeinde in Russland, Halbstadt, 1902
Friesen, P M, Die Alt-Evangelische Mennonitische Bruederschaft in Russland (1789-1910),
Raduga, Taurida, Russia, 1911, many pages. Friesen states (p 694) that Martin Friesen
of Sparrau built many mills for Russian peasants and noblemen as well as a wooden
threshing machine driven by a horse-gin. Although he does not identify this Martin
Friesen as his father, it seems very likely that he was. If so, it does not seem very
plausible that Friesen came from a poor family.
This book was published in English, translated and edited by J B Toews et al, and
published by Board of Christian Literature, General Conference of Mennonite Brethren
Churches, Fresno, California, 1978
Friesen, P M, Ein Mennonitischer Schaecher. Drei Briefe von Prediger P M F, published by
John J Kroeker, Hepburn, Saskatchewan
Friesen, P M, Konfession oder Sekte? Der Gemeinsame Konvent in Schoenwiese am 7 Maerz
und die Kommission in Halbstadt am II April 1914, Raduga, 1914
Janz, Benjamin B, “P M Friesen,” Friedensstimme, 25 October 1914, pp 3-4
Janzen, Jakob, “Peter Martynowitsch Friesen, Christlicher Familienkalendar, 1918,
pp 118-124
Klibanov, Aleksander Illich, History of Religious Sectarianism in Russia (1860s-1917), tr
from the 1965 edition by Ethel Dunn, ed by Stephen P Dunn, Pergamon Press,
Willowdale, Ontario, 1982, pp 317-321
Kroeker, Abraham, “Wie im Jahre 1905 einer Judenhetze vorgebeugt wurde,” in
406
Christlicher Familienkalendar, 191 8 , pp 149-151
Kroeker, Abraham, “Prediger Peter Martinowitsch Friesen” in Unsere Brueder in Not:
Bilder vom Leidensweg der deutschen Kolonisten in Russland, Verlag von Theodor
Urban, Striegau, Germany, 1930, pp 30-37
Loewen, Harry, “Condemned to Die” in No Permanent City: Stories from Mennonite History
and Life, Herald Press, Waterloo, Ontario and Scottdale, Pennsylvania, 1993,
pp 152-155
Martin, Terry, “The Mennonites and the Russian State Duma, 1905-1914, in The Donald
W Treadgo/d Papers in Russian, East European and Central Asian Studies , No. 4,
Jackson School of International Studies, University of Washington, Seattle,
Washington, 1996, pp 11-20
Mawdsley, Evan, The Russian Civil War , Birlinn Limited, Edinburgh, 2000, p 270
Odessaer Zeitung
14/26 July 1888, p 2; 20 September/2 October 1888, p 2; 13/25 October 1888, p 1-2;
15/28 February 1908, p 3
Plett, Delbert, “Bergthaler-Chortitzer Friesens,” Preservings, December 1997, p 3
Plett, Delbert, “Separatist Pietism,” Preservings, June 1998, pp 12-15
Ridpath, John Clark, Encyclopaedia of Universal History, Nineteenth Century, Volume IV,
The Jones Brothers Publishing Company, Cinncinati, Ohio and J W Lyon, Guelph,
Ontario, 1890, pp 705, 712
Schellenberg, Bernhard, “P M Friesen,” Mennonitische Rundschau, 5 January, 19 January,
23 February, 1944
Schellenberg, Bernhard, “Zur Unterhaltung,” Mennonitische Rundschau, 5 January 1944, p 3
Thiessen, Franz, P MFriesen 1849-1914: Personal Recollections, Board of Christian
Literature, General Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches, Winnipeg, Manitoba,
1974, many pages
Thiessen, Franz, “My Recollections of P M Friesen,” Mennonite Life, October 1948, pp 9-10, 45
Urry, James, None But Saints: The Transformation of Mennonite Life in Russia 1789-1889,
Hyperion Press, Winnipeg, Manitoba, 1989
Urry, James, “ The Mennonite Commonwealth in Late Imperial Russia (1880-1917): The
Pursuit of Power and Privilege,” chapter in forthcoming book, CMBS, Winnipeg
Zionsbote
14 May 1902, pp 2-3; 28 May 1902, p 2; 13 December 1914; 30 December 1914, p 5
407
Chapter VII
IMFEROPOL
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Table of Contents.408
History of Simferopol.409
Map of Simferopol City (2000).412
Scenes of Simferopol.413
Kursk-Kharkov-Sevastopol Railway.414
List of People.415
Businesses and Institutions.425
Business and Institutional Advertising.427
Medical Personnel in 1915.428
University of Simferopol Students.429
Pictures of People.430
Rehabilitation Letter.434
“The Purge”.435
Sources.437
408
HISTORY OF SIMFEROPOL
Simferopol is a city located in south central Crimea, on the small Salgir River. It is at 350
metres above sea level, coordinates are 44°57N, 34°6E and the area is 107 square kilometres.
Temperatures in January and February can dip to just below 0°C, while July and August reach 36 or
37°C. The present city has within its boundaries an important archeological site known as Scythian
Neapolis. It was a settlement that existed from the end of the third century BC until the second half
of the third century AD. It was the centre of the Crimean Scythian tribes, and ruled over a small
kingdom covering the lands between the lower Dniepr River and Crimea. Neapolis was destroyed
half way through the third century AD by the Goths. At excavation a
large public building with columns was found, as well as a mausoleum
and more than 70 burial sites of Scythian noblemen. One of the skeletons
was that of King Skylur, another burial site was that of a Scythian queen.
The Tatar city of Ak Mechet (White Mosque) was established on
the site in the fifteenth century. The Russians renamed the city
Simferopol after the conquest of Crimea by Catherine II in 1784. It was
the administrative centre of the region, reflected in its name. Simferopol
means “city collector” in Greek. In 1802 the city became the
administrative centre of the Taurida Govemorate. In the 1820s and
1830s Simferopol was one of the markets used by traders from the
Molotschna, such as Johann Comies, to sell their agricultural products,
hams, sausages, lard, butter and eggs.
In 1850 there were 16 educational institutions in Simferopol, among them being the
Provincial Crown Gymnasium.
During the Crimean War Simferopol was not actually a battlefield, but Russian Army
reserves and a hospital were located in the city. More than 30,000 Russian soldiers were buried in
the vicinity of the city. Mennonite wagons and drivers often brought supplies to the area. The
Mennonites also accepted the care of 5,000 wounded soldiers, taking them back to the facilities in
the Molotschna.
Travel to and from Crimea, such as connecting to the Molotschna, was by road, basically a
wide strip of land cleared to allow wagons and carriages to travel, but also wide enough to provide
grass for the horses. The Perekoper Way went south from Perekop at the north end of Crimea,
through Simferopol, and on to Sevastopol.
Starting in the mid 1800s Russia was starting to develop an extensive rail system. The
Kharkov-Sevastopol railway, which ran through Simferopol, was completed in 1875. Two types of
locomotives were built specifically to serve on the Kursk-Kharkov-Sevastopol Railway. Spat, with
station Sarabus, was north of Simferopol on this line.
At the time of the flourishing of the Mennonites in south Russia, Simferopol seems to have
been commonly frequented for medical treatments. The people may well have gone to the Dr
Muehlenthal Hospital where various specialist surgeons operated. According to the frequency of its
advertising, the Wasserkur Abteilung of the private hospital of Dr S Levin was also popular. In the
life story of a number of people the only contact with Simferopol mentioned was that they died there.
It could have been that they were in a city hospital for treatment, and, not recovering, died there.
v
Simferopol Crest
409
Mennonites also attended educational institutions in
Simferopol, particularly the university. There is record
of only one Mennonite business located in Simferopol.
Peter Reimer sold Keystone-Elgin watches and other
jewelry, frequently advertising in the Christlicher
Familienkalendar early in the century, 1904-1905.
In the twentieth century Simferopol was again
affected by wars in the region. Crimea was a White
_ Army stronghold during the Civil War, with General
St Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in 1903 Pyotr Wrange| havjng hjs headquarters in Simferopol.
On 13 November 1920 the Red Army finally captured the city. On 18 October 1921 it became the
capital of the Crimean Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic.
Simferopol suffered the usual deprivations of the Communist take over. The St Alexander
Nevsky Cathedral was destroyed by the Soviet government in 1930. The GPU (State Security
Service) established a prison which was freely used to subdue and torture the surrounding
population. In 1930, for example, 24 Mennonite families from Spat were rounded up on 24 April
1930 and taken to Simferopol, having been judged to be dangerous “Kulaks.” Within two days eight
long trains left the city, taking their exiled passengers to the far Russian north. For some peculiar
reason four families were not banished. They were given citizenship documents and the right to
collect their belongings, if they could find them. The family of Abram J Klassen was one of the four
granted these privileges, although Abram himself had already been exiled, and died 5 July 1931.
Men from the Crimea were commonly imprisoned in Simferopol during the “Great Purge” of the late
1930s. Franz Teichrieb of Spat was in the GPU prison for a year before he was sent to the far
reaches of Siberia. Jakob Janzen of Tchongrav was more fortunate, being released after three
months of incarceration.
During World War II Simferopol was occupied by the German Army between 1 November
1941 and 13 April 1944. On one occasion, 13 December 1941, the Einsatzgruppe D under Otto
Ohlendorf killed at least 14,300 residents. In all over 22,000 people were killed, mostly Jews and
Russians.
On 26 April 1956
Simferopol and the rest of
Crimea was transferred from
Russia to the Ukrainian SSR by
Nikita Krushchev. After the
collapse of the Soviet Union
Simferopol became the capital
of the Autonomous Republic of
Crimea within independent
Ukraine. The majority of the
citzens of the city are ethnic
Russians, but there are also
significant Ukrainian and Tatar minorities.
Simferopol has a large railway station, being on the Sevastopol-Kharkov line, and has an
University of Simferopol
410
international airport. Many tourists go through the city, largely on the way south to the nearby tourist
resorts. The longest trolley bus line in the world connects Simferopol to Yalta on Crimea’s Black
Sea coast. It is also in the heart of the truck-farming and fruit-growing region. Industries include
food processing, wine making, fruit canning, and the manufacture of machinery, machine tools,
power station equipment and consumer goods. A recent survey comments that there is no high-rise
building in Simferopol. Current population is about 400,000.
The Central State Archive of Crimea is situated in Simferopol, and has many records relating
to Mennonite activities, since it was for many years the capital of the Taurida Govemorate.
Adolph Joffe, a Russian Communist revolutionary, later a Bolshevik politician and diplomat,
came from Simferopol. Yana Klochkova, a Ukrainian swimmer from the city, has won five
Olympic gold medals in her career.
The St Alexander Nevsky Cathedral is now being reconstructed, to look exactly as it was
before 1930. It was originally built in the early nineteenth century, to honor a wish of Czarina
Catherine II. The first stone of the renewed foundation was laid in 2000. An old architect, Borys
Isaiev, remembered the cathedral from the time before it was destroyed. He commented, “The
church never failed to impress with its splendor...The sound of the cathedral’s great bell carried and
was heard in many villages in the Simferopol area. My soul rejoices in the expectation of the
moment when I will hear the bells of Crimea’s main sanctuary again.”
411
412
Simferopol city scenes 2004
413
The Kursk-Kharkov-Sevastopol Railway
(going through Simferopol)
One of the original passenger engines built for the Kursk-Kharkov-Sevastopol
Railway around 1870
Simferopol train station
Locomotives of the Kursk-Kharkov-Sevastopol Railway, the nearer engine
built by Schneider in 1869-70
414
LIST OF PEOPLE
(People who at one time lived in Simferopol)
(Each name will appear in bold print only once)
Note:
There were no refugees reported in the pages of the Mennonitische Rundschau as immigrating
directly from Simferopol to Canada in the 1920s, or escaping across the Amur in 1930
A total of 85 Mennonites have been found who spent some time in Simferopol. In 16 of these
the only connection seems to be that they died there. Simferopol was a medical
referral centre, so it is quite possible that a number of these people actually died in one
of the city hospitals, treatment of their condition having been unsuccessful
Braun,Johann
Bom 7 January 1896
Married Katharina Epp
She was bom 18 December 1899 in Biyuk-Busau, Crimea
They probably lived in Simferopol
Children:
Katharina - bom 25 April 1926, died 1942
Johann - bom 8 May 1930 in Simferopol, married Irisa Dali 26 February 1959,
arrived in Germany 20 July 1990
Heinrich - bom 1933, married Lydia Konrad, 1 child bom in Karaganda, Kazakhstan
Father Johann died in 1943 in Komi, Asiatic Russia
Cornies, Johann
As a young man, in the 1820s, while living in the Molotschna, he packed his wagon with
hams, sausages, lard, butter and eggs, and headed for the Crimea, where he visited
Feodosia, Simferopol and Sevastopol to sell his goods
Cornies, Helene
Bom 1886
Parents Thomas Cornies and Susanna Derksen
She died 1916 in Simferopol
Duekmann, Mrs Peter
Died in hospital after major surgery in 1902
Duerksen, Johann (Hans)
Bom 6 April 1902
Parents Johann Duerksen and Katharina Heinrichs
Johann was the fourth of 13 children (of which only 6 reached adulthood)
Student in Lehrerseminar at the University of Simferopol in 1924, became a teacher in Crimea
Married Anna Neufeld 6 April 1927 in Menlertschik, had 2 children
Not a church member, was a government employee, so he could not immigrate with his
parents, who left in 1929; they migrated to Paraguay in 1930
He was imprisoned during the “Great Purge”
Sentenced to death on 23 November 1937, and likely executed the same day, in Melitopol
415
Letter received dated 12 June 1959 that he was “Rehabilitated.” His conviction had been
based on unsubstantiated evidence, and therefore was not valid
Dyck, Anna
Worked as medical nurse in Simferopol in 1915
Dyck, Mrs
Went to Maedchenschule in Karassan
Attended Maedchengymnasium in Simferopol
Lived in Crimea up to age 24
Dyck, Peter
Bom 20 April 1900, in Karassan
Parents Isaak Dyck and Maria Pankratz
Became member of the Krimmer Mennonite Brethren Church
Zentralschule in Karassan, Kommerzschide in Alexanderkrone, Gymnasium in Simferopol
Medical school at medical faculty of University of Simferopol
He went to medical school during the time of the famine (1921-1922), studies interrupted
periodically during the Civil War
During this time Professor Dr Stefko, an anatomist, wrote a scientific paper about the famine
Interned at the University of Kasany, on the Volga
Worked for some time with Dr Tavonius in Muntau until Tavonius died in May 1927
Married Manya Bartel 5 August 1928; they had 4 children
Took over the accident hospital at Luxemburg (formerly Gronau) in the Mariupol region
Was asked to leave by the GPU because of his Christian orientation.
Then had appointment as surgeon at port hospital in Mariupol
Fled to Moscow, then was able to escape to Germany 30 November 1930
Worked as physician in the refugee camps at Hammerstein and Prenzlau for 5 years
Studied tropical medicine in Hamburg
Migrated to Brazil, where he worked as a physician
1935 to 1953 worked in the jungle of Santa Catarina in Brazil
1953 to 1976 worked in Witmarsum, Parana
Wife died, he had fractured leg and 2 heart attacks
Died 2 June 1987
It may be that his wife was also a doctor, who possibly had studied in Simferopol
The 3 children who survived him were Roswita, Ekkehard and Gisela
Ediger, Alexander
(see separate biography in Berdyansk chapter)
Parents Heinrich Abram Ediger and Emilie Friesen
Third child of three, other brothers Theodor and Harry
Teacher and church elder
Exiled from Stalino in the Don Basin in 1931
Wife Katharina eventually came to Simferopol to care for the household of Willmar Ediger,
with her 2 children, Dagmar and Harry
When Alexander was released for a brief time in 1933, he stayed in the Willmar Ediger home
until he found employment in Stalino
416
When the authorities arrested both Alexander and Katharina Ediger in 1935 in Stalino, the
children Dagmar and Harry were sent back to the Heinrich Edigers in Simferopol, where
likely stayed for at least 5 years
Ediger, Harry
Parents Heinrich Abram Ediger and Emilie Friesen
Second child of three, brothers Theodor and Alexander
Was a lawyer, likely not married
Lived in Simferopol until at least 1931
Ediger, Heinrich
Wife Elisabeth Dyck ( Maria Ediger’s sister)
Children:
Else
Willmar (see separate entry)
Frieda
Spent some time studying in Germany, probably homeopathy
Treated patients in Simferopol, was sued by the city doctors, but he won the case
The Edigers were forced to move to the village of Karassan during the Civil War
Returned to Simferopol after the Communist takeover
In 1931 they invited Katharina Ediger, Alexander’s wife, to manage the household of their son
Willmar in Simferopol
Ediger, Theodor
Parents Heinrich Abram Ediger and Emilie Friesen
Eldest of three children, brothers Harry and Alexander
Had PhD degree, was a historian
Likely not married
Lived in Simferopol until at least 1931
Ediger, Willmar
Parents Heinrich Ediger and Elisabeth Dyck
Married, wife died in childbirth
Child:
Casik - bom about 1931
Willmar was a professor at the University of Simferopol
Katharina Ediger came to manage the household after the death of Willmar’s wife
Katharina then stayed there with her children. When her husband Alexander was released from
prison for a brief time in 1933, he also stayed there
Fehderau, Peter Jakob
Parents Jakob J Fehderau and Maria Bahnmann
The father was bom in Berdyansk, although the couple lived on Estate Marianovka
6 Children , of which the fourth was:
Peter - bom 7 December 1896 on Estate Marianovka, he died 23 February 1920 in
Simferopol, and he was buried there
Friesen, Abram
Worked as a medical orderly in Simferopol in 1915
417
Heinrichs, Abraham
Bom 20 April 1863 in Tiegenhagen, Molotschna
Parents Abraham Heinrichs and Katharina Fast
Died 27 January 1890 in Simferopol
Janzen, Anna
Parents Jakob Janzen and Helena Martens
Anna died in Simferopol
Janzen, Helena
Bom 25 April 1866 in Orechov
Parents Johann Janzen and Katharina Schroeder
He was a mill owner, estate owner, mayor of Orechov
Helena was the third of 8 children
Died 12 May 1933 in Simferopol
Janzen, Jakob
Lived in Tchongrav
Arrested and imprisoned in Simferopol late 1936
Released after 3 months, and returned home
Klassen, Abram J
Bom 3 December 1884 in Ohrloff, Molotschna
1893 parents moved to Spat, Crimea
He was a teacher at village of Ebenfeld, served in the Alt-Berdyansk Forstei
October 1910 married Agnes Goerz
Spent 1 year in Barvenkovo in a Froese mill to learn the business
After that opened own business in Spat
With onset of World War 1 drafted as Sanitaeter, served first in Simferopol, then in
Sanitorium in Szaki, a Kurort in Crimea
After conclusion of the war was elected as minister in Spat, and was appointed as a member
of the Kommission fuer Kirchenangelegenheiten ( KfK)
Arrested, imprisoned in Simferopol, sentenced to 10 years in exile in 1930
Died in exile 5 July 1931
Koop, Peter Peter
Bom 12 November 1894 in Chortitza, Chortitza Colony
Parents Peter A Koop and Anna K Loewen
Lived in Chortitza, factory owners
Peter was the sixth of nine children
Died April 1920 in Simferopol, likely of typhoid
Kroeker, Heinrich
Bom 25 November 1859 in Chortitza Colony
Parents Jakob J Kroeker and Maria F Janzen
Heinrich was the sixth of 10 children
He lived in Simferopol
Kroeker, Helena
Worked as a medical nurse in Simferopol in 1915
418
Kroeker, Johann
Married, had 3 children:
Elisabeth
?
Abraham
Johann was confined to a psychiatric facility ( Irrenhaus ) in Simferopol in the early 1880s
Wife with children migrated to Canada in the 1880s to live with relatives
Johann died 1906 in Simferopol, still in the psychiatric facility
Landeis, Jakob Michael
Sredne-Tarassevskaya 7, Simferopol, Crimea
Requested food packages through the pages of the Mermonitische Rundschau 22 March 1922,
p 13
Seeking help from Nikolaus Staener and Joseph Braun, of “Stadt Rosse, North America”
This is the only person from Simferopol requesting help; it is not certain that this is actually a
Mennonite
Langemann, Johann Martin
Bom 11 May 1888 in Spat, Crimea
Parents Martin Jakob Langemann and Anna Huebert
Married Maria Klassen, 2 chidren
Died July 1916 in Simferopol
Loewen, Peter Wilhelm
Bom 22 May 1889 in Muntau, Molotschna
Parents Wilhelm Loewen and Maria Braun
Married Justina Friesen 10 July 1914
Probably lived in Tiegenhagen
One child Peter Peter Loewen bom 3 May 1914 in Tiegenhagen
Father Peter died 9 August 1916 in Simferopol of a ruptured appendix
Justina died of tuberculosis
Maier, Mr
Wife
Son: Victor - bom 21 October 1916 in Simferopol
He married Frieda Wiebe 18 May 1941 in Kulja, China
4 children, the first 2 bom in Chiva, China, the last 2 in Chilliwack, BC
Youngest was son Wilhelm, who married Irene Louise Toews
Martens, Johann Johann
Bom 31 December 1836 Taschtschenak region
Married Maria Friesen of Altona, she died
Then married Katharina Esau 2 March 1871, 9 children
Johann died 29 August 1893 in Simferopol
Katharina died 13 December 1897 in Berdyansk, but was buried in Simferopol
Martins, Anna (Anya)
Bom 10 May 1898
Parents Wilhelm Wilhelm Martins and Maria Dick
419
From the Montanai Estate, owned by 5 Martins brothers, located 30 km N of Eupatoria, Crimea
Graduated from medicine in Simferopol, probably 1923 or 1924
Immigrated to Canada 1926
Never married
Ran a psychiatric practice in Hamilton, Ontario, with her office right next to her home
Died 1985 in Hamilton, buried in Ruddell, Saskatchewan, where others of her family are buried
Neufeld, Gerhard Jakob
Bom Rosenort, Molotschna then moved to Ufa
Graduated from a Gymnasium
Went to the Crimean State University in Simferopol, graduated from medicine probably 1923
Married Margaretha Dyck (Dueck?)
Children: Alice, Edith, Rita, Ernst
Went to be the regional doctor in the Davlekanovo (Ufa) region
Imprisoned in the “Great Purge" in 1938
The family sent him food packages for years, in the vain hope that he was still alive
It was later discovered that he was shot 6 days after he was arrested
Neufeld, Hermann
From Samara
Medical student in the University of Simferopol in 1920, likely graduated about 1924
Neufeld, Nicholas Jakob
Bom 2 June 1897 in Rosenort, Molotschna
Family then moved to Ufa
Married Susanna Loewen 23 August 1923 in Davlekanova
Four children, Nicholas bom in Russia, Johann, Margaretha and Ernest bom in Canada
Went to the Crimean State University in Simferopol, graduated from medicine April 18, 1924
Immigrated to Canada September 1924, and took up medical practice in southern Manitoba
From 1929 on practiced in Winnipeg
Co-founder of the Concordia Society (medical plan) and the Crosstown Credit Union
Retired 1973, died 31 October 1977 in Winnipeg
Pankratz, Mr
Wife Mrs Pankratz
Son Abram - bom 3 September 1898 in Simferopol
He married Elisabeth_? in 1924 in Crimea
Immigrated to Brazil, had 3 children there
Abram died 22 June 1978 in Churitiba, Brazil
Penner, Anna
Teacher in Simferopol October 1922
Wrote letter of thanks for the help provided by the MCC during the famine of 1921-22
A brief letter of hers was published in D M Hofer’s book
Penner, Elisabeth (Lisa)
Parents Jakob Penner and Anna Reimer
Lived in Femheim, a Mennonite village in the north east comer of Crimea
Children of Jakob and Anna were:
420
Elisabeth (Lisa) - attended college in Simferopol
Jakob, Agnes, Anna
Peters, Wilhelm
Bom March 1857 in Gnadenfeld, Molotschna
Parents Daniel Peters and Justina Ratzlaff
Married Maria Loewen 19 March 1883 in Saribasch, Crimea
4 children bom in Saribasch
Wife died, married Maria (Goertzen) Kroeker
Another 6 children
First of these was Hermann - bom 21 January in Saribasch, Crimea
Wilhelm died 6 November 1901 in Simferopol
Son Hermann died in Simferopol (date not known)
Rahn, Hermann
Bom 29 October 1862 in Halbstadt, Molotschna
Parents Johann Jakob Rahn and Katharina Goossen
Married Anna Peters 2 May 1889 in Sparrau, Molotschna
Said to have lived some time in Simferopol, and later in Spat
3 children bom in Crimea
Johann - bom 28 March 1890 in Johannesruh, Crimea
Aganetha - bom 19 January in Tohaily, Crimea
Katharina (Katya)
Regier, Abraham
Bom 11 October 1850 in Hierschau, Molotschna
Married Sara Hildebrand 18 February 1875
She was bom 19 November 1853 in Hierschau, Molotschna
Her parents were Peter Hildebrand and Sara Epp
They had 8 children:
Abraham - bom 15 December 1876 in Simferopol, Abraham married Susanna Boehr,
7 children, he died 27 July 1962 in Henderson, Nebraska
The family immigrated to Nebraska, USA, next 7 children bom in Nebraska
Reimer, Peter
Owned jewelry type store, sold watches, cabinet clocks, watch chains, medallions, rings
Advertised in Christlicher Familienkalendar
Rempel, Agatha
From Gnadenfeld, Molotschna
She and her sister Maria were medical students at the University of Simferopol in 1920,
likely graduated about 1924
Rempel, Maria
From Gnadenfeld, Molotschna
She and her sister Agatha were medical students at the University of Simferopol in 1920,
likely graduated about 1924
Schaefer, Mr
Student at Lehrerseminar in the University of Simferopol in 1924
421
Scharkov, Sergey
From Minlertschik, Crimea
Student at Lehrerseminar in University of Simferopol in 1924
Schmidt, Emil
Bom 1875 in Piatagorsk, Stavropol, South Russia
Married Gertrude Rempel 21 May 1902
One son Theodor
Emil died 30 July 1924 in Simferopol
Stauss, Johann (Hans)
From Spat, Crimea
Medical student at the University of Simferopol in 1920, likely graduated about 1924
Sudermann, Theodor
Bom 14 March 1851 in Frauenberg, Prussia
Married Alida Ruff 20 January 1883 in Simferopol
She was bom 14 October 1862 in Ulm, Baden-Wuerttemberg
Children:
Theodor - bom 29 July 1884 in Simferopol
Erna - bom 5 August 1888 in Simferopol
Alida died 2 September 1897 in Simferopol
Father Theodor died 30 September 1931 in Gronau, Westphalia, Germany
Teichrieb, Franz
Bom 1895
Lived in Spat with wife Susanna, children Elvira, Arnold, Anneliese and Gerhard
Jailed as part of the “Great Purge,” being arrested on the night of 24 November 1936
For at least a year held in a jail in Simferopol, then sentenced to five years exile, one of the
crimes was that he had sung hymns at home
Then transfered to Magadan on the Sea of Okhotsk, 6,000 km away
During his transfer he threw a package of letters off the train near Spat, which his family found
and still treasure to this day (2006)
Died in Magadan, likely 1938 or 1939
Thiessen, Anna
Bom 11 November 1869 (1868?) in Chortitza, Chortitza
Parents Jakob Thiessen and Anna Pries
Married a Janzen, he died
Then married Bernhard Thiessen 1 May 1888, 6 children
Bernhard died 24 April 1899 in Wohldemfuerst, Kuban
Anna died 15 December 1909 in Simferopol
Thiessen, Peter Johann
Bom 6 August 1862 in Rosenort, Molotschna
Parents Johann Thiessen and Maria Wiebe
Married Katharina Enns
9 children, all bom in Rosenhof, Ekaterinoslav
Peter died 17 June 1908 in Simferopol, circumstances not known
422
Toews, Aron Johann
Bom 15 July 1899 in Molotschna Colony, probably Alexanderthal
Parents Johann Aron Toews and Elisabeth Janzen
A younger brother was Johann Benjamin Toews (JB), who was bom 24 September 1906 in
Alexanderthal
Aron completed pre-medical training in Halbstadt at the age of 18
Governor’s medal as outstanding student in the province
Entered medical faculty as youngest student ever admitted to the faculty in the
University of Simferopol
Awarded MD at age of 21 in December 1920
Had minor operation of curetting out infected mastoid behind right ear under anaesthesia
Travelled to estate of his fiance, Sara Dyck
Preached to a small congregation December 25
That evening high fever, “blood poisoning” diagnosed
Died 30 December 1920, buried 2 January 1921
Unrau, Maria (see also Heinrich Unrau, Millerovo)
Bom 15 May 1885 in Huschin, Crimea
Parents David Johann Ediger and Maria Penner
Married Heinrich Unrau 29 January 1905, 6 children
Lived in Millerovo, where Heinrich was part owner of a machine shop
Heinrich died in Millerovo 7 November 1919
Maria died 14 December 1932 in Simferopol
Unruh, Abraham Heinrich
Bom 5 April 1878 in Temir-Bulat (Philippstal), Crimea
Parents Heinrich Benjamin Unruh and Elisabeth Wall
Seventh of 10 children, older brother of Benjamin H Unruh
Lived with uncle Komelius Unruh in Ohrloff, Molotschna
Dorfschule in Tiege, Zentralschule in Ohrloff, Teachers College in Halbstadt
While teaching in Menlertschik he took some courses in Simferopol and Perekop, perfecting
his knowledge of Russian and mathematics
Went on to teach in Barvenkovo, then Bible School in Tchongrav, Crimea and Winkler,
Manitoba
One of the founders of MBBC in Winnipeg, Manitoba
Unruh, Benjamin Heinrich
Bom 4 September 1881 in Temir-Bulat (Philippstal), Crimea
Parents Heinrich Benjamin Unruh and Elisabeth Wall
Ninth of 10 children, younger brother of Abraham H Unruh
Initial schooling in Temur-Bulat, then after 4 years sent to Tokultschak (Johannesmh)
1895 to Zentralschule in Ohrloff, teachers included his uncle, Komelius Unruh
Teachers College in Halbstadt
Passed Religion and German examinations in Halbstadt
Passed examinations for Russian subjects in Simferopol
Studied in Basel, Switzerland 1900-1907
423
Married Frieda Hege of Breitenau, Germany in 1907, had 8 children
Taught Religion and German in the Ober-Realschule in Halbstadt, also taught in the
Halbstadt Maedchenschule
Involved in the negotiations for Mennonite migration to Canada 1923-1928
Helped in the resettlement of Mennonites from Moscow 1929-1930, and with the Harbin
refugees
Wrote a number of books
Settled in Karlsruhe, Germany
Died 12 May 1959 in Karlsruhe
Wiens, Anna
Worked as a medical nurse in Simferopol in 1915
Wiens, Heinrich
Bom 25 August 1894 in Halbstadt, Molotschna
Married Anastasia Ivanov 23 January 1918 in Halbstadt
She was bom 3 January 1892
Must have lived for some time in Simferopol, then back to Halbstadt
Children:
Riva Maria - bom 12 April 1920 in Simferopol
Yurie - bom 17 February 1922 in Halbstadt
Family immigrated to British Columbia, Canada
Willms, Maria
Bom 13 April 1873 in Karassan, Crimea
Parents Gerhard Willms (Willems) and Maria Kaethler
Maria married Kuzma Davidenko and joined the Orthodox church
She later rejoined the Busau Mennonite Church
4 children
Maria died 27 March 1917 in Simferopol
424
BUSINESS AND INSTITUTIONS
There was only one Mennonite Business that could be found in Simferopol
Peter Reimer
Advertised in the Christliche Familienkalendar on a number of occasions early in the 1900s
Was the only agent in Russia for Keystone-Elgin watches, American made, durable and
accurate
Also sold wall and cabinet clocks, watch chains, medallions, broaches and rings
Catalogue available on request
Institutions, Services and Businesses used by Mennonites
Medical Corps
Unit in Simferopol 1915 had a number of Mennonites
These included Anna Wiens, Anna Dyck, Helena Kroeker, Abram Friesen
Psychiatric Hospital
“Irrenhaus ” used by Mennonites
Johann Kroeker was a patient there early 1880s until he died in 1906
Hospital
Mrs Peter Duekmann (nee Thessmann) died in hospital after major surgery in 1902
Dr Muchlenthal Private Surgical and Gynaecological Hospital
Dr Muehlenthal, general and orthopaedic surgeon; Dr Maurch, eye diseases; Dr Grassmueck,
internal and nerve conditions; Dr Weidenbaum, women’s diseases, obstetrics and
pediatrics; Dr Lau, ear conditions and respiratory diseases; Dr Petersenn, ear, nose and
throat
Prices in the hospital 2, 3 and 5 rubles
The specialists mentioned varied from time to time, but Dr Muehlenthal was always listed
There was considerable advertising for this hospital in Christlicher Familienkalendar
Water Cures
The private hospital of Dr S Lewin from Vienna had a special department for water cures
The newest equipment was available for water cures, as well as different types of baths,
rubdowns, packing, hot air and steam, hot and cold showers
Reasonable prices, 2 rubles per day, with 20% reduction on treatments if you stayed in the
facility
Treatment most effective for nerve, stomach and intestinal conditions, womens’ diseases,
constipation and severe colds
Right across the street from the cathedral
University of Simferopol
1918 to 1924 there was a considerable number of Mennonite students at the University
There were good professors, partly because they had fled south, away from the Communist
north
425
Students were often unable to go home for the summer holidays because of the Civil War, so
they worked in the local Mennonite villages, such as Lustigstal, Karassan, Tchongrav.
A Dr Johann Sawatzky in Karassan often helped them with food, but also encouraged
them to read his medical books
Mennonites studied Medicine, Philology (languages), Science, Education (teacher training)
There were at least ten medical students about 1920 (nine could be specifically identified)
(for more personal details see List of People)
Dyck, Peter - Karassan, Crimea
Martins, Anna (Anya) - Montanai Estate, near Eupatoria, Crimea
Neufeld, Gerhard Jakob - Davlekanovo, Ufa, brother of Nikolai
Neufeld, Hermann - Samara
Neufeld, Nicholas Jakob - Davlekanovo, Ufa, brother of Gerhard
Rempel, Agatha - Gnadenfeld, Molotschna, sister of Maria
Rempel, Maria - Gnadenfeld, Molotschna, sister of Agatha
Strauss, Johann (Hans) - Spat, Crimea
Toews, Aron Johann - Alexanderthal, Molotschna
There were also a number of students in the Faculty of Education ( Lehrerseminar)
Unruh, Abraham Heinrich - took courses in Russian and Mathematics
In 1924 there were at least 3
Duerksen, Johann (Hans) - Crimea
Schaefer
Scharkov, Sergey - Minlertschik, Crimea
426
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Familienkalendar in 1905
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Water cure at Dr Lewin’s private clinic
and hospital
427
Medical Personnel in Simferopol in 1915
Mennonite nurses serving in Simferopol during World War I
Medical Corps in Simferopol 1915. Front row 1 to r, Anna Wiens,
Anna Dyck, the next nurse Helena Kroeker, then Abram Friesen
428
University of Simferopol
Mennonite medical students in Simferopol in 1920. 1 to r back row Hermann
Neufeld, Samara; Agatha Rempel, Gnadenfeld; Johann Strauss, Spat; front row
Nicholas J Neufeld, Ufa; Maria Rempel (sister of Agatha), Gnadenfeld; Anna
Martins, Eupatoria, Crimea; Gerhard Neufeld (brother of Nicholas), Ufa
Students at the Lehrerseminar in 1924, back row, 4th from left
Sergy Scharkov; captain hat, Schaefer; middle row, white shirt,
Johann (Hans) Duerksen
429
Dr Anna Martins
Dr Anna Martins in the late 1950s
(age about 60)
Dr Peter Dyck in Brazil
430
Nicholas and Susanna Neufeld
Nicholas Neufeld, medical
student in 1920
Dr Nicholas J Neufeld
431
Dr Gerhard Neufeld
Gerhard J Neufeld, student
Gerhard Neufeld,
medical student
in 1920
432
Sicherheitskomitee
der Ukrainischen SSR
Verwaltung des
Gebietes Donezk
vom 8.Februar 1990
Nr. 10/3-9530-2 f
Donezk
Sehr geehrte Katharina Iwanowna !
638142 Kas.SSR
Gebiet Pawlodar
Kreis Uspenko
Kreis Rawnopol
Mil H.J.
Ihr Schreiben an die KGB Verwaltung des Gebiets Donezk
wurde von uns aufmerksam durchgenommen.
Wir teilen mit, dap DIRKSEN Johann, Sohn des Johann,
geb.am 19.04. 19oi, in Schende, Kreis Melitopol, Gebiet
Dnepropetrowsk, deutscher Nationalitit, ste1lvertretender
Leiter der Abteilung fur Hauptarbeiten der Schacht "Junkom",
wurde aw 17. November 1937 vom Ordshenikidser GO NKWD
unter unbegriindeten Beschuldigungen, dap er angeblich Tei lnehmer
einer "kontrrevolutionaren, faschistischen diversions-
aufstandischen Organisation ", verurteiIt.
Er wurde beschuldigt laut Ar. 54-6, 54-10, 54-11. und
auf Grund der Anordnung NKWD UdSSR und des Prokurors der UdSSR
vom 23. November 1937, wurde Dirksen J.J.zur Todesstrafe
verurtei1t.
Uber das Datum des Vo 11zuges sind in der Archivkriminalakte
keine Angaben vorhanden, aber es ist bekannt, dap nach den
Verordnungen die zu jener Zeit existierten, wurden solche Urteile
so fort nach der fallung ausgefiirt.
Angaben iiber den Bestattungsort sind in den Akten nicht vorhanden
und es ist unmoglich in der jetzigen Zeit es festzustellen.
Uber we it ere Angaben verfiigen wir nicht.
Auf Grund der Bestimmung des Gerichtstribunals des Kirower
Griegsgebietes vom 12. Juni 1959, ist DIRKSEN J.J.
r e h a b i 1 i t i e r t worden, wegen fehlendem Tatbestand.
Wegen der Bescheinigung iiber die Rehabi 1 itierung wenden sie sich
an das Kriegstribunal des Kirower Kriegsgebietes.
Leiter der Unterabteilung: Unterschrift
434
FRANZ TEICHRIEB
[1895 - 1940?]
Franz Teichrieb with his wife Susanna, and children Elvira, Arnold, Anneliese and
Gerhard lived in the
village of Spat, Crimea.
Franz taught geometry
and cabinet making in
the local high school,
but when the collective
farm needed his skills,
his services were
transferred there.
There was no
active church in Spat in
1936, there were no
Bible studies. Once
Franz and his wife sat
in their house and sang
the old gospel songs.
He had really enjoyed
that.
It was November 24, 1936. The first snow had fallen; it was a beautiful evening.
Franz suggested to his wife “lets go visit Tante Gretchen, ” who lived at the other end of the
village. Franz’s mother, Mrs. Elisabeth Wall, watched the children, while he and Susanna
walked to their destination.
No sooner were they gone when a policeman came to the door asking for Franz. He
was told that the couple had gone for a visit. The policeman came back in half an hour, this
time with a German shepherd police dog. Franz was still not at home. Would the
Teichriebs be drinking, Mrs. Wall was asked. No, she said, but since they were staying
such a long time they were obviously having a good time.
Finally returning home, Franz wanted to stop in at his cabinet shop to check his
tools, but the police saw him on the street, and told him not to bother. This time there were
two policemen. They escorted Franz into the house and told him to put his hands up. The
whole family had to sit around the table while the police searched the house. They found
a picture of Elvira as a small girl, but after some pleading, left it with the family. They told
Susanna to get Franz some warm clothing, blankets and a pillow. Then, by this time about
11 PM, Franz was ordered to go with the two policemen.
Susanna cried. Franz said goodby, that the family should be brave and not worry.
When Franz and the policemen were gone the family moved all their beds together - feeling
slight comfort with the close company.
Franz was taken to a prison in Simferopol. The crimes he was accused of were
singing religious songs and receiving mail from Canada. Susanna went to visit him
periodically, usually taking along food, with leaves of the Bible tucked in. The eldest
daughter, Elvira, went along on one occasion. They were in the same room, but there were
The Teichrieb Family in 1932 or 1933
435
two tables between them, and a policeman watching at all times.
Then Franz told his wife that he would likely be sent away fairly soon, and this
would be by train. He had written a number of letters to the family which he was unable
to give them. He would pack them into a box, and throw them off the train at a certain
bend of the railway track near Spat.
Imprisonment
in Simferopol
continued for
about one year,
then the
inevitable
occurred, and
Franz was sent
away,
presumably to
the far north or
to Siberia.
Elvira and a
friend were
sent to search
the track
around the
designated area
and actually
found the box of letters! Susanna and her family carefully read each line that Franz had
written. He was worried about how he and the family would manage the five year
separation [presumably he had received a five year sentence for his crimes against the state].
He asked Susanna to greet their relatives, for Elvira to help her mother. He encouraged
Susanna to bring up the children in the fear of the Lord. The family knew no new address,
so it was impossible to communicate.
Finally after a year a letter arrived, from Magadan, on the Sea of Okhotsk, well north
of Vladivostok, about 6,600 kilometres from home as the crow flies. Franz was sick, his
teeth were falling out, obviously from malnutrition. Despite their own poverty the family
quickly packed together what food they could find as well what they thought would be the
most nutritious - bacon, garlic, halva and onions, and sent it off.
Then there was silence. The next letter came from a friend of Franz’s. Franz had
died. The family should contact Simferopol about details. There they were told that Franz
had died of a heart attack, although their own presumption was that the true cause was
starvation. So died another victim of Stalin’s “Great Purge.”
/ (ft.it r /■/:■■■ MUittafe *., ZZcnfym .??<.,(<,*,. *,/ ( i4<! fitf i-C./rif&.rt*
x'Jt* -i.'j-Ti'J. y.,,*fpc ,*,■ 7r Z/r a. y*.. , r , .
-Jiu 1 ./Jfjciru VUrt nir.v 'V- ,n . a*; 7 f , r^r A r t : feJnvxj
fcrr.-L fa*i4t€&zu tivut-«sln.. -rut*.
dtA MS l iru ;
4a »<>k\ 1. I <*««. iXttAh- >*'■ '■** A
r -v ■ > n'r«* (Js-fi&s ••*av&6t >jpfA*1 ivati
i * ‘ a/z/ri K n^ti
. j.< + r f*tx t tWifti w*’’ -• /-M&.t
S~ > rr. t j/f.x M t • s rtr. r jx /j?'} 7’lfy .’ j tfo ,, » > m _ .» t j i a r • iy r .V •Fiifif
•(pt ft.'l! ? - r i'a'v ‘A , i ■ -Z-' * i A ■■ ._yS . . A Z _ J '
-z-r iVif. A, Jtv*( .'a’ci i '.An ez-f-'? <!. ,
}!:'« h-f r . i JZ.A 171*-1 •* 1 -4 4 -/yVi« rt-y i<" -,v -4 j |;J
V4 -i! i ^r.t . „ Al • ^ /•/ C 7^ <> ; • t rL>y -p-i » .i r -* ; -
t f.i i ^ 1 /-/•< I XttK ii 7 .’/;
(Lt /mil/., ■tf-i f.-i'y / jiir/.ii aAlVis. r'!(ni/./i |T<.
i** WK Tlii r 'JiCCtfi uto j/ij -A Jif*-*
■'Z f - 1 r*'- ~t,-sl f.(1 ■>)_ z* 1 / r |, .?)..* y_.j iir: . r y*.r; jt
|,1 i ¥■<>• •!<•<<» J» if A «;<-5 Vaa s. : Au .^oCt ,, .W«.oh;
ff'f • fvk- -^;Zt ^ ■ ‘Wll] <-A
tl •.•>»«!* ,H*Z. ■xagfi v<* i-" ,t-
. ; ■ i _ '.‘Ir 1 . Ir. . Jt g. - Et y* : r ^tr.^ : tt-fcii' ' "i itr.i 1 ./;,. uij' ,
Letter written by Franz Teichrieb in prison in Simferopol, dated July 23
436
SOURCES
(for the entire Simferopol chapter)
Der Bote
Obituaries:
Dyck, Dr Peter, 15 July 1987, p 6; 9 September 1987
Durksen, Kaethe, personal interview
Durksen, Martin, Die Krim war unsere Heimat, self-published, Winnipeg, Canada, 1977,
many pages
Ediger, Katharina , Under His Wings: Events in the Lives of Elder Alexander Ediger and His
Family, self-published, edited by Elisabeth Schulz, translated by Mark Backmann,
Kitchener, Ontario, Canada, 1994, pp 39-77
Goerz, H, Mennonite Settlements in Crimea , Echo Historical Series, translated from German by
John B Toews, CMBC Publications, Winnipeg, Canada, 1992, pp 50-53
Hofer, D M, Die Hungersnot in Russland und Unsere Reise um die Welt, K M B Publishing
House, Chicago, Illinois, 1924, p 347
Huebert, Helmut T, Events and People: Events In Russian Mennonite History And The
People That Made Them Happen, Springfield Publishers, Winnipeg, Canada, 1999,
pp 197-200,214-15
Loewen (nee Teichrieb), Elvira, personal interview
Lohrenz, Gerhard, Heritage Remembered; A pictorial survey of Mennonites in Prussia and
Russia, CMBC Publications, Winnipeg, Manitoba, 1974, pp 86, 131, 187
Mennonitische Rundschau
News Report:
8 March 1902, p 2
Refugee Lists: many pages
Seeking Food Packages: many pages
Neufeld family information
Quiring, Walter, and Bartel, Helen, Als Ihre Zeit erfuellt war, self-published. Saskatoon,
Saskatchewan, 1963, p 103
Schroeder, William, Huebert, Helmut T, Mennonite Historical Atlas, second edition, Springfield
Publishers, Winnipeg, Canada, 1996, p 28
Teichrieb, Anneliese, personal interview
Toews, J B, JB A Twentieth-Century Mennonite Pilgrim, Center for Mennonite Brethren Studies,
Fresno, California, 1995, pp 17-19, 104
Westwood, J N, A History of Russian Railways, George Allen and Unwin Ltd, London, 1964,
pp 64, 302
437
INDEX OF ALL PEOPLE LISTED AS LIVING
IN THE CITIES OF IMPERIAL RUSSIA
This does not include parents, children, or relatives who, on reasonable assumption, did not actually live in the city
Unless specifically mentioned, spouses, particularly wives, are not listed, although one could assume that most often
they were present
When a child is listed as being bom, but there is no information about parents, it is assumed that there must have
been a father and a mother living in the city
Married women are listed under their maiden name, followed by their married name in brackets
If their maiden name is not known, women are listed under their married name
If the given names of people are not known, they are listed as Mr, Mrs, Son, Daughter, Child or Children
When the term “Children” is used we have assumed that this means at least 2 children for statistical purposes
Where the names are the identical, the order in the index follows the order in which they occur in the text
A
Abrahams, Helena (Friesen), 96
Abrams, Jacob E, 71
Abrams, Katharina E, 71, 161
Albrecht, Abram, 71, 378
Albrecht, Abram Abram, 71, 378
Albrecht, Anna (Neufeld), 7
Albrecht, Elisabeth (Doerksen), 7
Albrecht, Franz, 7
Albrecht, Heinrich, 7
Albrecht, Heinrich, 71,378
Albrecht, Jakob, 7
Albrecht, Margaretha (Penner), 7
Albrecht, Margaretha, 7
Albrecht, Nikolai, 7
Albrecht, Nikolai, 7
Albrecht, Nikolai, 7
Albrecht, Peter, 71, 375, 378,
382
Albrecht, Peter, 71, 378
Albrecht, Susanna, 7
B
Bahnmann, Abram, 73, 165
Bahnmann, Anna, 72, 165
Bahnmann, Anna, 73, 165
Bahnmann, Anna (Bartel), 73
Bahnmann, Anna (Dyck), 120
Bahnmann, Aron, 72, 165
Bahnmann, Cornelius, 72, 165
Bahnmann, Cornelius, 72
Bahnmann, Cornelius, 72
Bahnmann, Cornelius Cornelius,
72, 165
Bahnmann, Elisabeth, 120
Bahnmann, Franz, 72, 165
Bahnmann, Heinrich, 72, 165
Bahnmann, Heinrich, 121
Bahnmann, Heinrich Peter, 73,
120, 152, 161
Bahnmann, Helena, 72, 165
Bahnmann, Helena (Nickel), 73,
168
Bahnmann, Henrietta (Rempel),
120
Bahnmann, Jakob, 72
Bahnmann, Jakob, 72, 165
Bahnmann, Jakob, 72, 165
Bahnmann, Jakob, 72, 165
Bahnmann, Jakob, 73
Bahnmann, Johann, 72, 165
Bahnmann, Justina (Unger), 73,
165
Bahnmann, Katharina, 72, 165
Bahnmann, Katharina , 120
Bahnmann, Katharina (Fehr), 73,
165
Bahnmann, Margaretha (Epp),
120
Bahnmann, Margaretha
(Sudermann), 73, 165
Bahnmann, Maria, 120
Bahnmann, Maria (Friesen), 73
Bahnmannm Maria (Giesbrecht),
74
Bahnmann, Maria (Rempel), 120
Bahnmann, Nikolai, 120
Bahnmann, Peter, 72, 165
Bahnmann, Peter, 73, 165
Bahnmann, Peter, 73, 161
Bahnmann, Peter Jakob, 53, 73,
161
Bahnmann, Susanna, 72, 165
Balzer, Franz, 360
Balzer, Mr, 360
Balzer, Mrs, 360
Bartel, David, 73, 161
Bartel, Heinrich, 74
Bartel, Heinrich, 74
Bartel, Helena, 74
Bartel, Helena (Comelsen), 74
Bartel, Maria, 74
Bartel, Peter, 74
Bartel, Wilhelm, 75, 158, 195
Berg, Franz, 75
Berg, Gerhard, 266
Berg, Gerhard, 266
Berg, Heinrich, 75
Berg, Heinrich, 266
Berg, Isaak, 75
Berg, Isaak, 266
Berg, Jakob, 54, 75, 171
Berg, Johann, 266
Berg, Justina Heinrich, 266
Berg, Katharina, 75
Berg, Katharina, 266
Berg, Katharina, 266
Berg, Katharina (Lohrenz), 112
Berg, Margaretha, 266
Berg, Margaretha, 266
Berg, Maria, 266
Berg, Maria, 266
Berg, Peter, 75
Berg, Susanna, 75
Berg, Susanna, 75
Berg, Wilhelm, 75
Bergen, Abraham, 379
Bergen, Aganetha, 75, 166
Bergen, Anna, 75, 166
Bergen, Bernhard, 231
Bergen, Children (3), 231
Bergen, Cornelius, 379, 383
Bergen, Elisabeth, 75, 166
Bergen, Gerhard, 75, 166
Bergen, Gerhard, 379
Bergen, Gerhard Gerhard, 375,
378, 382, 384
Bergen, Heinrich, 379
438
Bergen, Helena (Janzen), 75, 166
Bergen, Isaak, 379
Bergen, Jakob, 75, 166
Bergen, Jakob, 379
Bergen, Johann, 379
Bergen, Katharina, 75, 166
Bergen, Katharina, 379
Bergen, Komelius, 379
Bergen, Maria, 75, 166
Bergen, Mrs, 231
Bergen, Peter, 379
Bergen, Peter, 379
Bergen, Sarah, 75, 166
Bergen, von, Helena (Esau), 91
Bickert, Margaretha (Dyck), 270
Boldt, Heinrich, 231
Boldt, Johann, 231
Boldt, Mrs, 231
Bonnellis, J, 231,245
Bom, Children (3), 266
Bom, Martin Isaak, 266
Bom, Mrs, 266
Brauer, Elsie (Thielmann), 76
Brauer, Helena (Lena) (Dyck), 76
Brauer, Nikolai, 76
Brauer, Nikolai Erdmann, 76
Brauer, Mr, 76
Brauer, Mrs, 76
Brauer, Maria (Harder), 76
Braun, Anna (Schroeder), 290,
298
Braun, Heinrich, 76
Braun, Heinrich, 415
Braun, Johann, 415
Braun, Johann, 415
Braun, Katharina, 415
Braun, Komelius, 266, 291, 311
Braun, Mrs, 266
Brucks Family, 2 females,
1 male, 8
Buhler, Abraham, 76, 166
Buhler, Bernhard, 76, 166
Buhler, Bernhard Abraham, 76,
159, 161, 166, 170
Buhler, Elisabeth (Enns), 77, 166
Buhler, Jakob Abraham, 54, 77,
157, 171, 184
Buhler, Johann, 77, 166
Buhler, Justina, 77
Buhler, Maria (Penner), 77, 116
Buhler, Maria (Wall), 76, 166
Buller, Abram, 266
Buller, Franz, 266
Buller, Jakob, 266
Buller, Jakob Andreas, 266
Buller, Katharina, 266
Buller, Peter, 266
C
Claassen, Abraham, 78
Claassen, Adelgrunde (Quiring),
118
Claassen, Anna, 78
Claassen, Bernhard, 77, 171
Claassen, Cornelius, 54, 78
Claassen, Helena, 78
Claassen, Jakob, 77
Claassen, Johann, 78
Claassen, Margareta, 77
Comies, Helene, 415
Comies, Johann, 53, 143, 387,
393.409,415
Comies, Olga (Neufeld), 238
D
Daniels, Children (2), 231
Daniels, Gerhard Peter, 231
Daniels, Mrs, 231
DeFehr, Abram, 267
DeFehr, Abram, 267
DeFehr, Abram, 268, 304,
331-337
DeFehr, Abram Abram (Sr), 259,
260, 262, 266, 295, 295, 304,
308, 329-337
DeFehr, Abram Abram (Jr), 262,
267, 295, 298, 299, 304, 308,
314,329-337
DeFehr, Cornelius, 268, 304,
331-337
DeFehr, Cornelius Abram, 259,
260, 262, 265, 267, 268,292
295, 299, 304, 305, 308, 309,
310,311,315,316,317,
319-326,328, 329-337,
341-349
DeFehr, Elisabeth (Fast), 268,
304,319-326
DeFehr, Franz, 78
DeFehr, Franz Abram, 267, 269,
295, 296, 330-337
DeFehr, Heinrich Abram, 267,
269, 295, 296, 299, 304, 308,
314,330
DeFehr, Helena, 268, 331
DeFehr, Helena (Ewert), 267
DeFehr, Helena (Janzen)
(Penner), 282, 295, 329-337
DeFehr, Johann, 78
DeFehr, Johann, 78
DeFehr, Johann, 267
DeFehr, Katharina Abram
(Klassen), 267, 278, 295, 299,
304, 329-337
DeFehr, Margaretha (Reimer),
267,295, 304,330
DeFehr, Maria Abram (Peters),
267,283,295,330
DeFehr, Sarah (Dick), 78
DeFehr, Susanna, 269, 330
DeFehr, Wilhelm, 268,331
DeFehr, Wilhelm, 268, 304,
331-337
Derksen, Aganetha (Klassen), 19,
29
Derksen, David, 8, 32, 35
Derksen, Jakob, 78, 161
Derksen, Katharina (Klassen), 19,
29
Derksen, Nikolai, 78
Dick, Anna (Sudermann), 137
Dick, J, 8, 32
Dick, Jakob, 78
Dick, Jakob, 360, 370
Dick, Margareta (Derksen), 78
Dick, Mr, 375, 379, 382
Dick, Mrs, 78
Dick, Peter Franz, 79, 160
Dick, Peter Heinrich, 8
Dirks, Anna, 79
Dirks, Alexander Peter, 360, 369
Dirks, David, 79, 161
Dirks, Maria, 79, 161
Dirks, Nicholas Peter, 360, 369
Doerksen, Aganetha (Epp)
(Thiessen), 80
Doerksen, Aganetha (Isaak), 274
Doerksen, Agnes (Ediger), 79, 85
Doerksen, Anna (Ewert), 92
Doerksen, Child (1), 231
Doerksen, Children (5), 231
Doerksen, David David, 231
Doerksen, Elisabeth, 79
Doerksen, H, 79, 164
Doerksen, Jakob, 79
Doerksen, Jakob, 56, 79, 171,
176
Doerksen, Jakob David, 231
439
Doerksen, Johann Jakob, 57, 79,
163, 164
Doerksen, Margaretha (Voth), 79
Doerksen, Mrs, 231
Doerksen, Mrs, 231
Doerksen, Peter, 80
Doerksen, Sara (Neufeld), 80
Dueck, Anna (Wiebe), 8
Dueck, Arnold, 81
Dueck, Bernhard Bernhard, 8, 26,
35
Dueck, Bernhard Bernhard, 9
Dueck, Cornelius, 80
Dueck, Daughter (Wiebe), 82
Dueck, David Johann, 81
Dueck, Franz Isaac, 80
Dueck, Gerhard, 81, 172
Dueck, Gertruda (Neufeld), 114
Dueck. Heinrich Heinrich, 269
Dueck, Helene, 9, 26
Dueck, Helena (Brauer), 76
Dueck, Helena (Dueck), 81
Dueck, Helena (Fast), 81
Dueck, Isaac, 82
Dueck, Isaak, 81, 161, 171, 172
Dueck, Jakob, 80
Dueck, Jakob, 81, 161
Dueck, Jakob, 232
Dueck, Jakob Johann, 82
Dueck, Johann, 82, 161
Dueck, Johann, 232
Dueck, Johann Johann, 231
Dueck. Katharina, 9
Dueck, Katharina (Froese), 15,
26
Dueck, Leopold, 81
Dueck, Margaretha, 232
Dueck. Maria (Albrecht), 71, 378
Dueck, Maria (Baergen), 80
Dueck, Mr. 82
Dueck, Mr, 360
Dueck, Mrs, 82
Dueck, Mrs, 82
Dueck, Sarah (Froese), 9, 26
Dueck, Victor, 81
Duerksen, Jakob, 82
Duerksen, Jakob, 82
Duerksen, Johann (Hans), 232,
415.426, 429. 433. 434
Dyck, Aganetha, P, 269
Dyck, Agatha, 270
Dyck, Agathe, 271, 321
Dyck, Agathe, 271, 304,
321-326, 328
Dyck, Agnes, 269
Dyck, Agnes, 270, 297
Dyck, Amalie (Bock), 271,304,
321-326,328
Dyck, Anna, 9
Dyck. Anna. 82, 164
Dyck, Anna. 271,319
Dyck, Anna, 416, 425, 428
Dyck, Arthur, 271
Dyck, David Isaak, 270, 311,
318,322, 323
Dyck, Elisabeth (DeFehr), 259.
268, 271,295.299,304,311,
319-326, 328,329-337
Dyck, Elisabeth (Edigcr), 417
Dyck. Franz, 57, 83, 157
Dyck, Gerhard, 83
Dyck, Gerhard. 270
Dyck, Gerhard, 272,321
Dyck, Helena (Rempel), 288
Dyck. Helena (Riediger), 289,
304.319- 326, 328
Dyck, Isaak, 83
Dyck, Johann, 9
Dyck, Katharina, 83, 164
Dyck, Katharina (Ediger), 67, 83,
206-213,416
Dyck. Katharina (Heese), 270,
297
Dyck, Katharina (Klassen), 271,
278, 296, 301,319-326,328
Dyck, Katharina (Pcnner), 283
Dyck, M, 83, 164
Dyck, Margaretha, 269
Dyck. Margaretha, 270. 297
Dyck, Margaretha (Neufeld), 420
Dyck, Maria, 9
Dyck, Maria (Martens), 280, 304,
305.319- 326, 328, 339-349
Dyck, Maria (Thiessen), 270, 297
Dyck, Mrs, 83
Dyck, Mrs, 416
Dyck, Nikolai. 270, 297
Dyck, Nikolai. 270
Dyck. Nikolai. 270, 297
Dyck, Paul, 9
Dyck, Peter, 416, 426, 430
Dyck. Peter Peter, 271
Dyck, Susanna (DeFehr), 269,
330
Dyck, Susanna (Dyck), 271, 296,
299, 320-326, 328
Dyck. Wilhelm, 270, 299, 320
Dyck, Wilhelm, 271,304.
321-326,328
Dyck, Wilhelm Isaak, 258, 259,
260, 262, 271,292,300,301,
303.304, 308-312,315-317,
318-328,330-337, 340. 341
E
Ediger, A P, 67, 83, 175
Ediger, Abraham, 85
Ediger, Abram Salomon, 83, 161,
171,203
Ediger, Agnes Peter, 83, 85
Ediger, Alexander Heinrich, 83,
203,204, 206-213,416
Ediger, Anna, 84
Ediger, Casik, 417
Ediger, Children (2), 232
Ediger, David David, 272, 308
Ediger, Elisabeth (Lisa), 85
Ediger, Elisabeth (Liese) (Lehn),
111
Ediger, Elisabeth (Sudermann),
136, 169
Ediger, Else, 417
Ediger, Frieda, 417
Ediger, Harry. 84, 204, 417
Ediger, Harry. 209, 210. 213,
416
Ediger, Heinrich, 417
Ediger, Heinrich Abram, 55-57,
67, 83.84, 157, 160, 171-173,
177, 203-213
Ediger. Helene (Kliewer), 272
Ediger, Katharina Dagmar, 83,
207-213,416
Ediger. Komelius, 356, 361, 370
Ediger, Luise (Thiessen), 272
Ediger, Maria, 85
Ediger, Maria (Unrau), 292, 423
Ediger, Mr. 272, 308
Ediger, Mrs, 83
Ediger. Mrs, 417
Ediger, Nikolai, 85
Ediger, Peter, 85, 161
Ediger, Peter Abraham, 85
Ediger, Peter Abram, 85, 173,
175
Ediger, Peter Peter, 85
440
Ediger, Sara, 85
Ediger, Salomon Salomon, 232
Ediger, Th, 86
Ediger, Theodor, 84, 204,417
Ediger, Willmar, 417
Eitzen, Aganetha (Holzrichter),
361
Eitzen, Aganetha (Rempel), 366
Eitzen, Agatha (Sawatzky), 86
Eitzen, Agathe, 87
Eitzen, Anna (Schmidt)
(Schmidt), 361
Eitzen, Anna (Siemens), 86
Eitzen, Bertha, 86
Eitzen, Bertha, 87
Eitzen, Children (3), 361
Eitzen, Daniel, 86
Eitzen, Daniel Daniel, 86
Eitzen, David, 86
Eitzen, David Jakob, 86
Eitzen, Gerhard, 87
Eitzen, Helena, 86
Eitzen, Helena (Eitzen), 361
Eitzen, Helena (Quiring), 87
Eitzen, Jakob, 86
Eitzen, Jakob, 87
Eitzen, Johann, 86
Eitzen, Johann, 87
Eitzen, Johann Daniel, 361, 370
Eitzen, K, 9
Eitzen, Komelius, 87
Eitzen, Komelius, 361, 370
Eitzen, Komelius Daniel, 361
Eitzen, Margaretha, 361
Eitzen, Maria (Holzrichter), 361
Eitzen, Maria (Janzen), 86
Eitzen, Peter, 87
Enns, Abraham, 87
Enns, Abraham, 88
Enns, Abram, 87, 161
Enns, Anna, 89
Enns, Anna (Harder), 101
Enns, Anna (Neufeld), 365
Enns, Children (at least 2), 233
Enns, David, 88
Enns, Dietrich, 89
Enns, Elisabeth, 89
Enns, Elisabeth (Lisa) Rempel),
87
Enns, George (Gerhard?), 87
Enns, Gerhard, 89
Enns, Heinrich, 88
Enns, Isaak, 54, 87, 172
Enns, Isaak, 88
Enns, Isaak, 220, 232, 244, 251
Enns, J K, 233,251
Enns, Jacob, 88
Enns, Jakob, 87
Enns, Jakob, 87
Enns, Jakob, 87, 166, 170
Enns, Jakob, 88, 166
Enns, Jakob, 232
Enns, Johann, 88
Enns, Johann, 88
Enns, Johann, 89
Enns, Katharina (Katie), 87
Enns, Margaretha, 88
Enns, Margaretha (Voth), 88, 166
Enns, Maria (Schroeder)
(Unruh), 88
Enns, Mrs, 233
Enns, Peter, 88
Enns, Peter, 88
Enns, Sisters (2), 87
Enns, Susanna, 232
Enns, Susanna, 232
Enns, Susanna (Hiebert), 104,
167
Ennsz, Heinrich, 89
Entz, Abraham, 89, 166
Entz, Abraham, 89, 166, 170
Entz, Aganetha, 89, 166
Entz, Agathe, 89, 166
Entz, Isaak, 89, 166
Entz, Isaak Abraham, 89
Entz, Jakob, 89, 166
Entz, Johann, 89, 166
Entz, Katharina, 90
Entz, Katharina, 90
Entz, Margaretha, 89, 166
Entz, Margaretha (Janzen), 90
Entz, Maria, 89, 166
Entz, Maria, 90
Epp, Aganetha Heinrich
(Doerksen), 80
Epp, David, 90
Epp, David, 90
Epp, David Heinrich, 57, 90,
154, 157, 159, 164, 171,204,
207,210
Epp, Elisabeth (Dirks), 79
Epp, Heinrich, 9, 35
Epp, Heinrich, 90
Epp, Helena (Klassen), 277
Epp, Katharina (Braun), 415
Epp, Marie, 58, 91
Epp, Peter, 9, 31
Esau, Cornelius, 233
Esau, Cornelius, 233
Esau, Elisabeth (Klassen), 236
Esau, Gerhard Jakob, 91
Esau, Heinrich, 91
Esau, Heinrich, 91
Esau, Helena, 233
Esau, Jacob, 91
Esau, Johann, 91
Esau, Katharina (Martens), 113
419
Esau, Maria, 92
Esau, Victor, 233
Esau, Wilhelm, 233
Ewert (Daughter) (Wiens), 92
Ewert, Gerhard, 92
Ewert, Mrs, 92
Ewert, Wilhelm P, 92, 161
Ewert, Wilhelm Wilhelm, 92
F
Falk, Anna, 92
Falk, Anna, 92, 151
Falk, Helena, 92
Falk, Helena, 92, 151
Falk, Jakob, 92
Falk, Maria, 9
Falk, Mr, 92
Falk, Mr, 92
Falk, Mr, 92
Falk, Mrs, 92
Falk, Mrs, 92
Falk, Son, 9
Fast, Agatha (Eitzen), 86
Fast, Alexander, 273
Fast, Alexander Johann, 272, 301
Fast, Anna, 93
Fast, Annemarie, 93
Fast, David, 54, 93, 158, 161,
172
Fast, Elisabeth, 93
Fast, Elisabeth, 273
Fast, Gerhard, 93
Fast, Gerhard, 93
Fast, Gerhard Gerhard, 93
Fast, Helena (Eitzen), 86
Fast, Isaak, 273
Fast, Isaak, 273
Fast, Johann, 93
Fast, Johann, 220, 233, 242, 244
441
Fast, Katharina, 93
Fast, Katharina, 93
Fast, Katharina, 93
Fast, Margaretha (Bahnmann), 72
165
Fast, Maria, 93
Fast, Maria D, 93
Fast, Mathilda (Epp), 90
Fast, Mr, 93
Fast, Mrs, 233, 242
Fast, Peter Peter, 57, 94, 160,
177
Fast, Susanna (Friesen), 393
Fast, Viktor, 93
Fast, Waldo, 273
Federau, Anna, 94, 164
Federau, Elisabeth, 94, 151
Federau, Heinrich, 58, 94
Federau, Mr, 94
Federau, Mrs, 94
Fehderau, Aaron, 94
Fehderau, Abram, 95
Fehderau, Anni, 95
Fehderau, Aron Jakob, 94, 161
Fehderau, Elisabeth L
(Sudermann), 140
Fehderau, Franz, J, 95
Fehderau, Heinrich Jakob, 95,
164
Fehderau. Jakob, 95
Fehderau, Jakob Johann, 95, 161
Fehderau, Jakob Johann, 95
Fehderau, Johann, 95, 161
Fehderau, Peter, 95
Fehderau, Peter Jakob, 417
Fehderau, Salomon, 94
Fehderau, Salomon, 95, 161
Franz, Helene (Lenzmann), 111
Franz, Jakob Jakob, 96
Friesen, Abraham, 96
Friesen, Abraham Cornelius, 96
Friesen, Abram, 417,425, 428
Friesen, Amalia, 97
Friesen, Anna, 97
Friesen, Anna, 98
Friesen, Anna, 234
Friesen, Anna, 234
Friesen, Anna, 364
Friesen, Bernhard, 233
Friesen, Children (3), 98
Friesen, Claudia, 273
Friesen, Cornelius, 96, 159, 161
Friesen, D, 380
Friesen, David Peter, 96, 164
Friesen, Dirk, 233
Friesen, Emil, 97
Friesen, Emilie (Ediger), 84, 98,
204-208
Friesen, Gerhard, 96
Friesen, Gerhard, 98
Friesen, Gertrude, 234
Friesen, Heinrich, 96
Friesen, Heinrich, 273
Friesen, Heinrich Bernhard, 97
Friesen, Heinrich Komelius, 96,
98, 161
Friesen, Helena, 96
Friesen, Helena, 98
Friesen, Helena (Eitzen), 86
Friesen, Hermann, 97, 161
Friesen, Hermann, 97
Friesen, Isbrand Hermann, 73
Friesen, Isbrand Isbrand, 53, 55,
67,97, 153, 158, 161, 172, 180
Friesen, Isbrand Johann, 273
Friesen, J, 98, 172
Friesen, Jacob, 98
Friesen, Johann, 96
Friesen, Johann Isbrand, 273
Friesen, Julius, 233
Friesen, Julius Julius, 233, 251
Friesen, Katharina, 97
Friesen, Katharina, 233
Friesen, Katharina, 233
Friesen, Katharina, 234
Friesen, Katharina (Katie)
(Krehbiel), 96
Friesen, Katharina (Rempel), 97
Friesen, Katharina (Riesen, von),
131, 169
Friesen, Komelius, 96
Friesen, Komelius, 98
Friesen, Lilli, 233
Friesen, Louise, 97
Friesen, Luise, 234
Friesen, M, Mrs, 98
Friesen, Malvine, 97
Friesen, Margaretha (Albrecht), 7
Friesen, Maria, 96
Friesen, Maria, 96
Friesen, Maria, 98, 151
Friesen, Maria, 233
Friesen, Maria, 273
Friesen, Martha, 98
Friesen, Mr, 98
Friesen, Mr, 98
Friesen, Mrs, 97
Friesen, Mrs, 98
Friesen, Mrs, 98
Friesen, Mrs, 98
Friesen, Mrs, 273, 311,324
Friesen, Olga, 273
Friesen, Olga, 393, 397
Friesen, Paul, 393, 397, 403
Friesen, Peter, 96
Friesen, Peter, 98, 161
Friesen, Peter, 233
Friesen, Peter, 234
Friesen, Peter Julius, 234
Friesen, Peter Martin, 388, 393,
394, 395, 396-404
Friesen, Peter Peter, 234
Friesen, Sara, 96
Friesen, Sarah, 273
Friesen, Selma, 97
Friesen, Selma, 97
Friesen, Susanna, 233
Friesen, Susanna (Janzen), 393,
397
Friesen, Wilhelm, 273
Friesen, Wilhelm J, 258, 259,
262, 273, 308,310,311,321,
322, 324
Froese, Abram, 9, 32
Froese, Agatha, 14
Froese, Agatha, 18, 28
Froese, Agatha (Epp), 17
Froese, Anna (Enns), 10
Froese, Anna (Janzen), 13
Froese, Aron Peter, 9, 26
Froese, Bernhard Peter, 10, 26
Froese, David Peter, 11,26
Froese, Daughter, 15
Froese, Daughter, 273
Froese, Emma, 18
Froese, Franz, 12
Froese, Franz Abraham, 11
Froese, Franz Peter, 12
Froese, Gerhard, 14
Froese, Gerhard Peter, 1,13, 27,
31,32, 33,35,38,46
Froese, Heinrich, 14
Froese, Helena (Lena), 18, 28
Froese, Helena (Klassen), 16
Froese, Hilda, 11
Froese, Jakob, 14, 32
442
Froese, Jakob Komelius, 14, 35
Froese, Jakob Peter, 14, 26, 37
Froese, Johann, 10
Froese, Johann (Hans), 11
Froese, Johann, 16
Froese, Johann Peter, 15, 26, 28,
35
Froese, Katharina, 16
Froese, Katharina, 18, 28
Froese, Katharina J (Lepp), 21
Froese, Katharina (Reimer), 13
Froese, Komelius, 11
Froese, Komelius Peter, 16, 26
Froese, Maria, 13
Froese, Peter, 11
Froese, Peter, 16
Froese, Peter, 17
Froese, Peter, 18
Froese, Peter, 18
Froese, Peter Peter, 1,17, 27, 32,
33,35,38
Froese, Susannah (Teichrieb), 14
Froese, Tina, 273, 296
Funk, Johann, 98, 161
G
Gadsky, Heinrich Adolf, 273
Gerbrandt, Bernhard, 99
Giesbrecht, Anna, 234
Giesbrecht, Anna, 234
Giesbrecht, Anna (Wiebe), 293
Giesbrecht, Elfrieda, 234
Giesbrecht, Harry, 234
Giesbrecht, Heinrich, 234
Giesbrecht, Louise, 234
Giesbrecht, Viktor, 234
Goertz, Mr, 274, 300
Goertzen, Katharina (Froese), 9
Goerz, Agnes (Klassen), 19
Goerz, David, 99, 186, 204
Goossen, Heinrich, 99
Goossen, Heinrich, 99
Goossen, Katharina, 144
Goossen, Katharina (Wall),
(Gross), 144
Goossen, Maria, 99
Gorsching, Jakob, 99
Gorsching, Katharina, 99
Graewe, Helena (Warkentin), 241
Graewe, Maria (Harder), 101
Greaves, Amy Evelyn
(Sudermann), 137, 153, 172
Greaves, Emilie Victoria
(Sudermann), 138, 164, 172
Guenter, Children (2), 274
Guenter, Mrs H, 274, 301
Guenther, Child, 100
Guenther, Daughter, 100, 148
Guenther, Dietrich, 100, 148,
161, 172
Guenther, Dietrich, 100, 148
Guenther, Dietrich, 100, 148
Guenther, Heinrich, 100
Guenther, Maria (Bahnmann),
73, 100, 241
Guenther, Michael, 100
Guenther, Mr, 100, 172, 179
Guenther, Nikolai, 100, 148
Guenther, Son, 100
Guenther, Son, 100
Gutjahr, Paulina (Wall), 381
H
Hamm, Anna (Epp), 90
Hamm, Bernhard, 101
Hamm, Gerhard, 101
Hamm, Helena, 101
Hamm, Jakob, 101
Hamm, Johann, 101
Hamm, Johann, 101
Hamm, Maria (Esau), 233
Hamm, Peter, 100
Hamm, Peter, 101
Harder, Abraham, 101
Harder, Abraham Jakob, 101, 102
Harder, Anna (Rempel), 101
Harder, Barbara, 101, 161
Harder, Children (6), 101
Harder, Helena (Riesen, von),
130
Harder, Jakob, 101
Harder, Jakob Abraham, 101
Harder, Johann, 102
Harder, Margaretha, 101, 102
Harder, Margaretha (Entz), 89,
102
Harder, Maria (Epp), 101
Harder, Maria (Harder), 102
Harder, Nikolai, 102, 161
Harder, Widow P, 274, 301
Harder, Peter, 274
Harms, Elisabeth, 18
Harms, Mr, 18
Harms, Mrs, 18
Heckmann, Johann, 274
Heese, Elisabeth (Riediger), 127
Heidebrecht, D, 102, 164
Heidebrecht, Gerhard Peter, 103,
164
Heidebrecht, J, 103, 164
Heidebrecht, Komelius, 103, 164
Heidebrecht, Susanna (Suse),
103, 164
Heinrichs, Abraham, 418
Heinrichs, Agatha (Rempel), 125
Heinrichs, Albert, 103
Heinrichs, Elfriede (Kerber), 103
Heinrichs, Jakob, 103
Heinrichs, Jakob, 362
Heinrichs, Jakob Jakob, 103
Heinrichs, Komelius, 356, 362,
370
Heinrichs, Maria, 362
Heinrichs, Rita (Schuller), 103
Heinrichs, Susanna (Neufeld),
114
Heinrichs, Susanna (Riediger),
128, 206, 207
Hepting, Elisabeth (Klassen),
274
Hepting, Heinrich Andreas, 274
Hepting, Olga (Rempel), 274
Hiebert (Huebert), Abraham, 105,
167
Hiebert (Huebert), Agatha, 104,
166
Hiebert (Huebert), Anna, 104,
167
Hiebert (Huebert), David, 55,
104, 159, 161, 166, 170, 172
Hiebert (Huebert), David, 104
Hiebert (Huebert), David, 104,
Hiebert (Huebert), Dietrich, 104,
161
Hiebert (Huebert), Elisabeth,
104, 167
Hiebert (Huebert), Elisabeth
(Goertz), 104, 167
Hiebert (Huebert), Gerhard, 104,
167
Hiebert (Huebert), Gerhard, 104,
167
Hiebert (Huebert), Heinrich, 105,
167
Hiebert (Huebert), Jacob, 105,
167
Hiebert (Huebert), Jakob, 104,
167
443
Hiebert (Huebert), Jakob, 104,
167
Hiebert (Huebert), Johann, 105,
161
Hiebert (Huebert), Katharina
(Rempel), 104, 167
(Hiebert), Margaretha (Enns), 87
Hiebert (Huebert). Nikolai. 105,
167
Hiebert (Huebert), Peter, 105,
167
Hiebert (Huebert), Peter. 105.
167
Hiebert (Huebert), Susanna, 104,
167
Hiebert (Huebert), Sara
(Baergen), 104, 167
Hiebert, Sarah (Peters), 117
Hildebrand. D (Dr), 221,234,
244,245
Hildebrand. Gerhard, 105, 161
Hildebrand, Mr, 105
Hildebrand. Mrs, 105
Hildebrand, N H, 234
Hildebrand, Natalia, 105, 151
Hildebrand, Sara (Regier), 421
Hildebrandt, Anastasia, 105, 151
Hildebrandt, Friedrich, 106, 151
Hildebrandt, Jakob, 274, 291,
311
Hildebrandt, Mr, 106
Hildebrandt, Mrs, 106
Hildebrandt, Mrs 274
Hildbrandt, Nikolai, 106, 151
Hooge, Children (4), 234, 242
Hooge, Maria, 234, 242
Hooge, Peter. 234, 242
Huebert, Agatha (Strauss), 106
Huebert, Children, 18
Huebert, Elisabeth (Rempel), 123
155, 168
Huebert, Jakob, 18, 33
Huebert, Katharina (Wiens), 147
Huebert, Margaretha (Wiebe),
146
Huebert, Miss. 234, 244
Huebert, Mrs, 18
Huebert, Nikolai (Klaas), 106
I
Isaak, Abram, 274
Isaak, Abram. 275, 305, 306, 307
Isaak, Agathe, 276, 305, 307
Isaak. Agnes, 275, 305, 307
Isaak, Anna, 106
Isaak, Anna, 275
Isaak. David, 106
Isaak, Franz, 274
Isaak, Franz Jr, 106
Isaak. Franz Franz, 274, 300, 301
Isaak, Jakob. 274
Isaak, Jakob, 275, 304, 306, 308.
309,313
Isaak, Jakob, 275. 304, 309. 332
Isaak. Katharina (Tina), 275. 305,
307
Isaak, Nalja, 274
Isaak, Peter, 276, 305, 307
Isaak. Philipp. 106
Isaak, Philipp Abraham, 106
Isaak, Wilhelm (Willy), 276, 305,
307
Ivanov, Anastasia (Wiens), 424
J
Jakob "Father.” 233, 244
Jantzen, Abr, 107, 164
Jantzen, Abraham, 107, 159
Jantzen, Abraham, 107
Jantzen, Elise (Claassen), 107,
169, 196-201
Jantzen, Johann, 107
Jantzen, Sarah (Friesen), 96, 107
Janz, Benjamin Benjamin (B B),
235
Janz, Isaak Sr, 107
Janzen, Abram, 108, 161
Janzen, Abram. 108
Janzen, Abram, 276, 300
Janzen, Abram, 277
Janzen, Aganeta(Dyck), 270. 297
Janzen, Aganetha, 129
Janzen, Aganetha (Toews), 366
Janzen, Anna, 108, 167, 183-192
Janzen. Anna, 363
Janzen, Anna, 418
Janzen, Anna (Hiebert), 105, 167
Janzen, Anna (Klassen), 277
Janzen, Anna (Martens), 109
Janzen, Aron, 276
Janzen. Children. 108
Janzen. Children (6), 380
Janzen, Cornelius. 55, 77, 108,
167, 172, 182-192
Janzen, Cornelius, 108, 161
Janzen, Cornelius, 127
Janzen, Daughters (2), 18
Janzen, Daughters (4), 276
Janzen, David David, 108
Janzen, Elly (Goertzen), 109
Janzen, Eva, 18
Janzen, Franz, 276
Janzen, Franz, 276, 298, 308,
329-337
Janzen, Franz, 277
Janzen, Franz Franz, 276
Janzen, Gerhard, 18, 31
Janzen, Gerhard, 235, 245
Janzen, H. 55, 108, 173, 174, 179
Janzen, Heinrich, 362
Janzen, Heinrich, 362
Janzen, Heinrich (Cornelius),
108, 167, 183-192
Janzen, Heinrich Heinrich, 235
Janzen, Heinrich Jakob, 109
Janzen, Heinrich Johann. 362,
370,371
Janzen, Helena, 108, 167,
183-192
Janzen, Helena, 362, 418
Janzen, Helena (Martens), 109
Janzen, J D, 394, 395
Janzen, Jakob, 18
Janzen, Jakob, 235, 244, 245
Janzen, Jakob, 363
Janzen, Jakob. 410,418
Janzen, Jakob Kornelius, 109
Janzen, Johann, 18, 31
Janzen, Johann, 108, 167,
183-192
Janzen, Johann, 109
Janzen, Johann, 109
Janzen, Johann, 362
Janzen, Johann, 362
Janzen, Johann, 380, 383
Janzen, Johann A, 277
Janzen, Johann Heinrich, 356,
357.362,367,370
Janzen, Katharina (Pignatelli),
363
Janzen, Kornelius, 109, 164
Janzen, Lydia, 362
Janzen, Margaretha, 108, 167,
182-189
Janzen, Margaretha, 109
Janzen, Margaretha (Schroeder)
363
Janzen, Margaretha (Wiens), 148,
444
152, 161,241
Janzen, Maria (Guenther), 100
Janzen, Maria (Redekopp), 287
Janzen, Maria (Ratzlaff), 285
Janzen, Martha (Ratzlaff), 285
Janzen, Michael Heinrich, 109,
161
Janzen, Mrs, 18
Janzen, Mrs, 110
Janzen, Mrs, 380
Janzen, Olga, 277
Janzen, Olga (Lepp), 362, 368,
369
Janzen, P, 110
Janzen, Peter, 108, 167, 182-192,
201
Janzen, Sophie (Bestvater), 109
Janzen, Son, 18
Janzen, Victor, 362
K
Kaethler, David, 110, 161
Kaetler, Maria (Bahnmann), 73,
161
Kerber, Reinhard, 110, 159, 164
Ketler, Anna, 110
Ketler, Elisabeth, 110
Ketler, Eva
Ketler, Helena, 110
Ketler, Helena, 110
Ketler, Jakob, 110
Ketler, Maria, 110
Ketler, Katharina, 110
Kirkhan, Heinrich, 18
Kirkhan, Katharina, 18
Kirkhan, Rudolph, 19
Klassen, A, 235, 245
Klassen, A (Miss), 235, 244
Klassen, Abraham, 220, 235,
251,254
Klassen, Abram, 20, 29, 31
Klassen, Abram Gerhard, 277
Klassen, Abram J, 19
Klassen, Abram J, 410, 418
Klassen, Aganetha (Reimer), 20,
29,30
Klassen, Agatha, 20, 29, 30
Klassen, Agatha, 277
Klassen, Anna, 110, 152
Klassen, Anna, 235
Klassen, Anna, 236
Klassen, Anna, 277
Klassen, Anna (Willms), 21, 29,
30
Klassen, Anna (Guenther), 100
Klassen, Arthur, 277
Klassen, Barbara, 236
Klassen, Bernhard Peter, 277
Klassen, Children (10), 236
Klassen, Cornelius, 20, 29, 30
Klassen, Cornelius, 110, 161
Klassen, Cornelius Abraham, 19,
31
Klassen, David, 236, 243
Klassen, David, 278
Klassen, David Johann, 258,
259, 278,300,319-326, 328
Klassen, David Johann, 278, 301
Klassen, Dietrich, 21, 29, 30
Klassen, Dr, 110
Klassen, Elisabeth, 278
Klassen, Elsa, 111
Klassen, Ema, 21, 29, 30
Klassen, Ema, 279
Klassen, Franz, 279
Klassen, Gerhard, 16
Klassen, Gerhard, 20, 29, 30, 35
Klassen, Gerhard Johann, 19
Klassen, Heinrich, 278, 308
Klassen, Helena, 277
Klassen, Helene, 236
Klassen, Irene, 111
Klassen, Jakob, 20, 29, 30, 35
Klassen, Jakob, 110
Klassen, Jakob, 236, 243
Klassen, Jakob 278, 295, 299,
304, 308, 329-337
Klassen, Jakob J, 220, 221,222,
235,242, 243,244,251,252,
253
Klassen, Johann, 20, 29
Klassen, Johann, 236
Klassen, Johann, 278
Klassen, Johann, 279
Klassen, Johann G, 21, 35
Klassen, Johann Gerhard, 111
Klassen, Johann Johann, 19, 29,
35
Klassen, Justina (Buhler), 77
Klassen, Katharina, 236
Klassen, Katharina, 236
Klassen, Katharina, 278
Klassen, Katharina (Spenst), 21,
29,30
Klassen, Klara, 111, 151
Klassen, Klara, 236
Klassen, Leonhard, 236
Klassen, Maria, 236
Klassen, Maria, 278
Klassen, Maria (Sudermann), 134
Klassen, Maria (Wiens), 20, 29,
30
Klassen, Mr, 111
Klassen, Mrs, 110
Klassen, Mrs, 111
Klassen, Nikolai, 236
Klassen, Peter, 236, 243
Klassen, Peter Abraham, 279
Klassen, Sara, 111
Klassen, Susanna (Rempel), 126
Klassen, Vanja, 236
Klassen, Wilhelm, 236
Klassen, Wilhelm, 278
Klassen, Wilhelm J, 220, 221,
222, 236, 242, 244, 245,251,
252, 253
Klein, Maria, 144
Kliewer, Dora (Martens), 380
Kliewer, Mr, 380
Klewer, Mrs, 380
Konrad, Justina (Fehderau), 95
Koop, Elisabeth (Poetker), 284,
321
Koop, Heinrich, 21
Koop, Johann (Hans), 21
Koop, Katharina (Dueck), 80
Koop, Thomas, 111, 161
Koop, Peter, 21
Koop, Peter Peter, 418
Komelsen, Anna (Martens), 381
Krause, Anna (Nut), 279, 299
Krieger, Johann Johann, 363
Krieger, Margaretha, 363
Krieger, Margaretha, 363
Krieger, Maria, 363
Krieger, Martha, 363
Kroeker, Alexander, 237, 279
Kroeker, Children (4), 237
Kroeker, Dietrich, 237, 279
Kroeker, Dietrich Peter, 237, 279
Kroeker, Heinrich, 418
Kroeker, Helena, 418, 425, 428
Kroeker, Johann, 419, 425
Kroeker, Johann Johann, 279
Kroeker, Katharina, 237, 279
Kroeker, Katharina, 237, 279
Kroeker, Mrs, 237
445
Kroeker, Peter Peter, 237
Krueger, Bernhard, 111, 151, 279
Krueger, Johann, 363, 370, 371
Krueger, Mr, 279
Krueger, Mrs, 279
Kusmenko, Antonia (Redekopp),
119
L
Landeis, Jakob Michael, 419
Langemann, Johann Martin, 419
Lecher, Anna (Hepting), 274
Lenzmann, Agatha (Agathe)
(Fast), 92, 164
Lenzmann, Hermann August, 111
Lepp, Anna (Froese), 12, 21, 22
Lepp, Aron Aron, 21, 32, 35
Lepp, Daughter, 22
Lepp, Helena, 22
Lepp, Jakob, 22, 35
Lepp, Katharina, 22
Loepp, Abram, 380
Loepp, Children (4), 380
Loepp, Mrs, 380
Loewen, Children (6), 280
Loewen, D, 112, 161
Loewen, Elisabeth, 280
Loewen, Emilia, 280
Loewen, Jakob, 280
Loewen, Johann, 280
Loewen, Luise, 280
Loewen, Margaretha, 280
Loewen, Maria, 22
Loewen, Nikolai, 280
Loewen, Peter Wilhelm, 419
Loewen, Susanna (Neufeld), 420,
431
Loewen, Widow, 280, 300
Loewen, Wilhelm, 280
Lohrenz, Gertruda (Wiens), 112,
167
Lohrenz, Heinrich, 112, 167
Lohrenz, Jacob, 112, 167
Lohrenz, Justina (Wiens), 112,
168
Lohrenz, Katharina (Quiring),
112, 167
Lohrenz, Maria (Voth), 112, 167
M
Maier, Mr, 419
Maier, Mrs, 419
Maier, Victor, 419
Martens, Abraham, 363
Martens, Anna, 363
Martens, Anna, 380
Martens, Elisabeth, 281, 340
Martens, Helena (Isaak), 106
Martens, Helena (Unruh), 281,
304, 340-349
Martens, Johann Johann, 280,
324
Martens, Johann Johann, 113,
419
Martens, Katharina, 281, 340
Martens, Katharina (Katie)
(Heidebrecht), 363
Martens, Katharina (Rempel),
288
Martens, Katharina (Sudermann),
139
Martens, Katharina Johanna
Martens (Rempel), 124,239,
243
Martens, Kornelius, 22
Martens, Kornelius, 281, 341
Martens, Kornelius Jakob, 259,
262, 265, 280, 292, 304, 305,
309,315,316,317,319-326,
328,331-337,339-349
Martens, Maria, 113, 151
Martens, Maria (Schulz), 280,
304, 305, 340-349
Martens, Mr, 113
Martens, Mr, 380
Martens, Mrs, 113
Martens, Mrs, 380
Martens, Susanna (Suse),
(Unruh), 280, 304, 340-349
Martens, Wilhelm, 281,304,
341-349
Martens, Wilhelm J, 237
Martens, Wilhelm Johann, 281,
324
Martins, Anna, 419, 426, 429,
430
Mathis, Maria (Micka), 113, 164
Matthias, Hermann, 55, 113
Matthias, Katharina, 56, 113,
173, 175
Matthias, Ludwig, 113
Matthias, Otto, 113
Merk, Jakob Jakob, 237
Mierau, Aganetha (Fehderau), 95
Mierau, Helena (Jantzen), 107
Mierau, Jakob Jakob, 113
Mueller, Helena (Sudermann),
135
N
Neudorf, Susanna (Bahnmann),
72
Neufeld, Abraham, 365
Neufeld, Abraham Abraham,
57, 67, 94, 113, 154, 160
Neufeld, Abraham Abraham (Sr),
364, 370
Neufeld, Abraham Abraham (Jr),
364
Neufeld, Alice (Rempel), 114
Neufeld, Anna, 114
Neufeld, Anna (365)
Neufeld, Anna (Dueck), 81
Neufeld, Areka (Goossen), 114
Neufeld, Arthur, 114
Neufeld, Daughters (4), 365
Neufeld, Daughters (4), 365
Neufeld, Elisabeth, 365
Neufeld, Eugene, 114
Neufeld, Franz, 281,333
Neufeld, Gerhard Isaak, 114
Neufeld, Gerhard Jakob, 420,
426, 429, 432
Neufeld, Gertruda, 114
Neufeld, H, 380
Neufeld, Helena (Neufeld), 364
Neufeld, Hermann, 420, 426, 430
Neufeld, Isaak Peter, 114
Neufeld, Jakob, 114, 161
Neufeld, Jakob, 365
Neufeld (Mrs Jakob Penner), 365
Neufeld, Jakob Abraham, 365
Neufeld, Johann, 235, 237, 245,
251,254
Neufeld, Johann, 238
Neufeld, Johann, 364
Neufeld, Johann, 365
Neufeld, Katharina, 115
Neufeld, Katharina (Tina), 365
Neufeld, Katharina (Giesbrecht),
364
Neufeld, Maria, 365
Neufeld, Maria (Epp), 115
Neufeld, Maria (Janzen), 276
Neufeld, Mr, 115
Neufeld, Mr, 115
Neufeld, Mrs, 113
Neufeld, Mrs, 115
Neufeld, Mrs, 115
446
Neufeld, Mrs, 365
Neufeld, Nicholas Jakob, 420,
426,429, 431
Neufeld, Peter, 115, 161
Neufeld, Peter, 115, 161
Neufeld, Peter, 364
Neufeld, Peter, 365
Neufeld, Peter Abraham, 365,
370
Neufeld, Sons (4), 365
Neufeld, Sons (4), 365
Neufeld, Susanna, 364
Neufeld, Susanna, 365
Neufeld, Susanna, 365
Neufeld, Susanna (Heinrichs),
103, 164
Neufeld, Vera, 114
Neustaedter, Katharina (Froese),
11
Nickel, Abram, 73, 168
Nickel, Helena Gerhard, 22
Nickel, Isaac, 115
Nickel, Jakob, 22, 32
Nickel, Jakob, 259,281,300,
308,310
Nickel, Jakob Johann, 281
Nickel, Johann, 258, 259, 281,
308,310,321,322
Nickel, Maria (Ediger), 115
Niessen, Anna Peter (Eitzen),
361
Nikkei, Heinrich, 115
O
P
Paetkau, Helena (DeFehr), 267,
295, 299, 304, 329-337
Paetkau, J, 282, 301
Paetkau, Katharina (Froese), 17
Pankratz, Abram, 420
Pankratz, Mr, 420
Pankratz, Mrs, 420
Pauls, Agatha (Froese), 17, 27
Pauls, Anna Komelius (Isaak),
275, 305, 306, 307
Pauls, Helena (Poetker), 284
Pauls, Heinrich J, 238
Pauls, Jakob, 282
Pauls, Johann, 282, 305
Pauls, Katharina, 282
Pauls, Komelius, 282
Pauls, Komelius Komelius, 282
Pauls, Paula (Pauls), 282, 305
Penner, Abraham, 115
Penner, Adelbert, 238, 244, 245
Penner, Anna, 420
Penner, Anna (Buhler), 76, 166
Penner, Anna (Froese), 13, 27
Penner, Aron, 116
Penner, Augustine (Klassen), 116
Penner, Elisabeth (Lisa), 420
Penner, Heinrich, 282, 309, 310
Penner, Helena (Hamm), 100
Penner, Jakob, 22, 37
Penner, Jakob, 116, 161, 173
Penner, Widower Johann, 282,
295, 329-337
Penner, Johann, 282, 301
Penner, Johann, 283, 300
Penner, Justina (Kate) (Klein),
116
Penner, Katharina (Fast), 272,
301
Penner, Maria, 116
Penner, Maria (Froese), 15
Penner, Peter, 116
Penner, Sara (Hiebert), 104, 166
(Penner) Widow (Enns), 87
Peters, Bernhard J, 117
Peters, Anna, 22
Peters, Anna, 284
Peters, Anna (Rahn), 421
Peters, David, 284
Peters, Elsa, 284
Peters, Franz, 283
Peters, Heinrich, 283
Peters, Helena, 22
Peters, Helena (DeFehr), 267,
295, 304, 329-337
Peters, Hermann, 421
Peters, Hermann Heinrich, 117
Peters, Johann Franz, 283
Peters, Katharina (Quiring), 380
Peters, Katharina (Rempel), 117
Peters, Margaretha, 283
Peters, Margaretha (Quiring), 118
Peters, Margaretha (Rempel), 117
Peters, Maria Jakob, 284
Peters, Mr, 117
Peters, Mrs, 117
Peters, Nikolai, 284
Peters, Peter, 22, 32, 46
Peters, Peter, 117
Peters, Peter, 284
Peters, Wilhelm, 117
Peters, Wilhelm, 421
Poetker, Amalia Katharina
(Baerg), 284
Poetker, Emilie (Dyck), 271, 284,
303,304,321-326,328
Poetker, Gerhard, 284, 311,321,
322, 323
Poetker, Heinrich Paul, 284
Poetker, Helena Hildegard (Janz),
284
Poetker, Paul Edward, 284
Poetker, Paul Gerhard, 284, 311,
322
Prieb, Children (2), 285
Prieb, Heinrich, 285, 300
Prieb, Mrs, 285
Q
Quiring, Abraham, 118, 168
Quiring, Adelgmnde (Voigt),
118, 168
Quiring, Elisabeth (Penner), 119,
168
Quiring, Jakob, 380
Quiring, Johann, 117, 168
Quiring, Johann, 118
Quiring, Johann, 118, 168
Quiring, Johann, 380
Quiring, Johann Jakob, 375,
380, 382
Quiring, Katharina (Epp), 380
Quiring, Margaretha, 118, 168
Quiring, Margaretha, 119, 168
Quiring, Maria, 380
Quiring, Maria (Nickel), 115
Quiring, Maria (Sudermann),
118, 135, 168
Quiring, Peter, 118, 161
Quiring, Peter, 118
Quiring, Peter, 118
Quiring, Peter, 380
Quiring, Rosalie (Rosa), 118, 168
Quiring, Sarah, 380
Quiring, Susanna, 380
Quiring, Wilhelm, 118, 168
Quiring, Wilhelm, 118, 134, 168,
199
R
Rahn, Hermann, 421
Ratzlaff, Bernhard, 285, 296, 299
Ratzlaff, Bernhard, 286
Ratzlaff, Erich, 285
Ratzlaff, Erich, 286
447
Ratzlaff, Gustav, 285, 299
Ratzlaff, Gustav, 286
Ratzlaff, Helena, 285
Ratzlaff, Hulda (Ratzlaff), 286
Ratzlaff, Leonhard Peter, 286
Ratzlaff, Peter, 285
Ratzlaff, Richard, 286
Ratzlaff, Wilhelmine (Schmidt),
285
Ratzlaff, Wilhelmine
(Schroeder), 286
Redekop, Jakob Franz, 22
Redekopp, Alexander, 119
Redekopp, Benjamin, 119
Redekopp, Benjamin, 287, 287
Redekopp, Benjamin Benjamin,
119
Redekopp, Eduard, 287
Redekopp, Ema (Dick), 119
Redekopp, Karl K, 287
Redekopp, Laura (Unger), 119
Redekopp, Margaretha, 287
Redekopp, Maria (Janzen), 277
Redekopp, Peter B, 119
Redekopp, Peter Karl, 287
Redekopp, Selma, 287
Regehr, Helena (Bartel), 74
Regier, Abraham, 421
Regier, Abraham, 421
Reimer, Anna, 365
Reimer, Anna (Claassen), 77
Reimer, Elisabeth (Enns), 88
Reimer, Franz, 366
Reimer, Gerhard, 23
Reimer, Johann, 366
Reimer, Johann David, 121
Reimer, Johann L, 287
Reimer, Maria (Wall), 144
Reimer, Mr, 287
Reimer, Mrs, 287
Reimer, Peter, 421, 425, 427
Rempel, Abram, 287, 300, 323
Rempel, Abram, 381, 383
Rempel, Abram Dietrich, 287,
300
Rempel, Aganetha, 125
Rempel, Agatha, 122, 168
Rempel, Agatha, 421, 426, 429
Rempel, Amalia, 125
Rempel, Anna, 287
Rempel, Anna (Boldt), 231
Rempel, Anna (Schultz), 126
Rempel, Anna (Siemens), 122,
168
Rempel, Anna (Willms), 126,
155
Rempel, Anna (Willms), 149
Rempel, Augusta, 126
Rempel, Augusta, 126
Rempel, Child, 239
Rempel, Children (3), 288
Rempel, Cornelius, 127
Rempel, Cornelius, 288
Rempel, Elisabeth, 123
Rempel, Elisabeth, 288
Rempel, Elisabeth (Funk), 123,
168
Rempel, Elisabeth (Sawadsky)
289, 300
Rempel, Elisabeth (Siemens),
122, 168
Rempel, Ema, 125
Rempel, Georg Nikolai, 238, 239,
243
Rempel, Gerhard, 125
Rempel, Gustav Johann ,121
Rempel, Heinrich, 122, 168
Rempel, Heinrich, 125
Rempel, Heinrich, 127
Rempel, Heinrich, 288
Rempel, Heinrich H, 375, 381,
382, 384
Rempel, Heinrich Nikolai, 238,
239, 243
Rempel, Helena, 122
Rempel, Helena, 122
Rempel, Helena, 122, 168
Rempel, Helena (Reimer), 288
Rempel, Helena (Bergen), 75,
166
Rempel, Hilda, 125
Rempel, Isbrand, 123
Rempel, Isbrand, 126, 155
Rempel, Isbrand Peter, 121, 156
Rempel, Jacob, 122, 161
Rempel, Jakob, 123, 168
Rempel, Jakob, 126, 155
Rempel, Jakob, 126
Rempel, Jakob, 127
Rempel, Johann, 54, 122, 172
Rempel, Johann, 122, 168, 170
Rempel, Johann, 122, 168
Rempel, Johann, 123
Rempel, Johann, 123, 168
Rempel, Johann, 125
Rempel, Johann, 127
Rempel, Johann, 239
Rempel, Johann, 287
Rempel, Johann (Ivan), 288
Rempel, Johann Gerhard, 287,
309,315, 331
Rempel, Johann Heinrich, 239
Rempel, Johann Johann, 122
Rempel, Johann Peter, 123, 125,
155, 168, 170
Rempel, Justina (Andres)
(Friesen), 124
Rempel, Katharina, 122, 168
Rempel, Katharina, 123
Rempel, Katharina, 126
Rempel, Katharina, 287
Rempel, Katharina, 288
Rempel, Katharina (Epp), 288
Rempel, Katharina (Smith), 127
Rempel, Katharina Gerhard
(Bergen), 378
Rempel, Komelius Gerhard,
288
Rempel, Lydia, 287
Rempel, Margaretha, 123
Rempel, Margaretha (Hamm),
127
Rempel, Maria, 122
Rempel, Maria, 287
Rempel, Maria, 421,426, 429
Rempel, Maria (Friesen), 126
Rempel, Maria (Funk), 123, 168
Rempel, Maria (Goossen), 122,
168
Rempel, Maria (Janzen), 127
Rempel, Maria (Sudermann), 135
Rempel, Maria Johann (Toews),
142, 169
Rempel, Mathilde (Friesen), 127
Rempel, Mr, 124
Rempel, Mr, 366
Rempel, Mr, 375, 381, 382
Rempel, Mrs, 122
Rempel, Mrs, 124
Rempel, Mrs, 239
Rempel, Nikolai, 123
Rempel, Nikolai, 239, 243
Rempel, Nikolai Isbrand, 124,
126, 155, 156, 239, 243
Rempel. Nikolai Nikolai, 239
Rempel, Olga, 239, 243
448
Rempel, Olga (Janzen), 127
Rempel, Peter, 123
Rempel, Peter, 123, 168
Rempel, Peter, 125, 161
Rempel, Peter, 125
Rempel, Peter, 125, 155
Rempel, Peter, 288
Rempel, Peter, 288
Rempel, Widow Peter, 288, 300
Rempel, Peter G, 125
Rempel, Peter Peter, 54, 125,
155, 156, 172
Rempel, Susanna, 287
Rempel, Susanna, 287
Rempel, Susanna, 288
Rempel, Susanna, 288
Rempel, Susanna (Albrecht), 7
Rempel, Susanna (Grove), 127
Rempel, Vera, 239, 243
Rempel, Wilhelm, 126
Rempel, Wilhelm, 126
Rempel, Wilhelm, 126
Rempel, Wilhelm Jakob, 126
Riediger, Abram, 127
Riediger, Abram, 128
Riediger, Aganetha (Sudermann),
129, 141
Riediger, Agatha (Klassen), 128
Riediger, Agatha (Sudermann),
141
Riediger, Anna, 128
Riediger, Anna (Thiessen), 127
Riediger, Cornelius, 128
Riediger, Cornelius, 289
Riediger, Elisabeth (Janzen), 127
Riediger, Elisabeth (Klassen),
111
Riediger, Elisabeth (Thiessen),
128
Riediger, Eva, 128
Riediger, Heinrich, 127
Riediger, Heinrich, 128
Riediger, Heinrich, 129
Riediger, Helena, 128
Riediger, Helena, 289
Riediger, Helena (Ewert)
Riediger, Jakob, 289
Riediger, Jakob, 289
Riediger, Jakob Peter, 262, 289,
304,311,319-326,328
Riediger, Johann, 128
Riediger, Julius, 129
Riediger, Justina, 128
Riediger, Justina (Rempel), 287
Riediger, Katharina, 128
Riedeger, Katharina, 289
Riediger, Katharina (Reimer),
129
Riediger, Maria, 128
Riediger, Martin A, 127
Riediger, Peter, 128
Riediger, Peter, 129
Riediger, Peter, 289, 311, 322
Riediger, Peter Martin, 55, 109,
128, 147, 153, 159, 174
Riediger, Susanna, 129
Riediger, Susanna (Guertler), 129
Riediger, Wilhelm, 128
Riediger, Wilhelm, 289
Riesen, Helena (Goerz), 99
Riesen, von, Agatha (Nickel),
132, 169
Riesen, von, Agnes, 132, 169
Riesen, von, Anna, 129, 167,
182-192
Riesen, von, Anna, 130, 186
Riesen, von, Anna (Wiens), 131
Riesen, von, Friedrich, 132, 169
Riesen, von, Gertrude
(Bergmann), 132, 169
Riesen, von, Heinrich, 130, 134
184
Riesen, von, Heinrich, 130, 186
Riesen, von, Heinrich, 132, 169
Riesen, von, Helena, 131
Riesen, von, Helena (Janzen),
108, 167, 182-192
Riesen, von, Isbrand, 130
Riesen, von, Johann, 132, 169
Riesen, von, Johanna, 130
Riesen, von, Johann Friedrich,
130
Riesen, von, Johannes, 131, 184
Riesen, von, Johannes, 131
Riesen, von, Katharina (Mouttet),
132, 169
Riesen, von, Katharina Henrietta,
130
Riesen, von, Marie Emilie, 130
Riesen, von, Rudolf, 131, 169
Riesen, von, Rudolf Hermann,
130, 131, 169, 173
Ruff, Alida (Sudermann), 422
S
Sawadsky, Anna (Nutya), 290
Sawadsky, Children (6), 290
Sawadsky, Heinrich, 289, 301
Sawadsky, Heinrich (Heinz), 290
Sawadsky, Johann (Hans), 290
Sawadsky, Louise (Sargenko),
289
Sawadsky, Maria (Schellenberg),
289
Sawatzky, A, 290, 300, 303
Sawatzky, Heinrich, 290
Sawatzky, Johann, 290
Sawatzky, Maria, 290
Schaefer, Mr, 421, 426, 429
Schapansky, Helena (Penner)
(Goertzen), 274
Scharkov, Sergey, 422, 426, 429
Schellenberg, Anna, 23
Schellenberg, David David, 366
Schellenberg, Johann, 23
Schellenberg, Johann, 23, 32, 46
Schellenberg, Mrs, 366
Schmidt, Abram, 132
Schmidt, Children, 23
Schmidt, Emil, 422
Schmidt, Katharina (Gorsching),
99
Schmidt, Klaas B, 23
Schmidt, Mrs, 23
Schmidt, Mrs, 132, 161
Schroeder, Alexander, 148
Schroeder, Anna, 148
Schroeder, Anna (Dick), 291
Schroeder, Children (3), 240
Schroeder, Cornelius, 291
Schroeder, David, 132, 161
Schroeder, David, 148
Schroeder, David, 148
Schroeder, Elisabeth (Liese)
(Baerg), 290
Schroeder, Gerhard, 291
Schroeder, Heinrich, 148
Schroeder, Heinrich, 291
Schroeder, Heinrich Peter, 240
Schroeder, Katharina (Janzen),
132,362,367
Schroeder, Margaretha, 132
Schroeder, Margaretha, 148
Schroeder, Margaretha (Grete),
133
Schroeder, Maria, 148
Schroeder, Maria (Klassen), 236
449
Schroeder, Maria (Wall), 290
Schroeder. Mrs, 240
Schroeder, Nikolai, 133, 163
Schroeder. Nikolai, 148
Schroeder, Peter, 148
Schroeder, Peter, 290
Schroeder, Peter Peter, 259. 262,
290, 298, 311
Schroeder. Peter David, 133, 164
Schroeder, Wilhelm, 148
Schulz. Jakob, 280, 304. 305,
340-349
Schulz, Jakob, 366
Schulz, Jakob Jakob, 366
Schulz, Katharina, 366
Siemens, Gerhard, 23, 32, 46
Siemens, J, 258,259,291,308,
310, 321,322
Siemens, Johann Jakob, 23
Sommerfeld, Maria (Enns), 88,
166
Spenst, H, 133, 161
Steingart, Sarah (DeFehr), 78
Steltz, J, 291,301
Strauss, Johann (Hans), 422, 426,
429
Sudermann, Abraham. 134
Sudermann, Abraham. 135
Sudermann, Abraham, 136, 169
Sudermann, Abraham Jakob 139,
173
Sudermann, Abraham Isaak, 54,
55, 133, 158, 173, 194. 196
Sudermann, Abraham Jakob, 55,
57, 134. 159. 164. 173
Sudermann, Abram, 136
Sudermann, Abram, 140
Sudermann, Anna. 133
Sudermann, Anna, 138
Sudermann, Anna (Claassen),
136
Sudemann, Anna (Janzen), 136.
169
Sudermann, Anna (Rempel), 126
Sudennann, Anna Johann
(Hausknecht), 102
Sudermann. Aron, 291
Sudermann, Widow Bernhard.
240
Sudermann, Elisabeth (Jantzen),
135
Sudermann, Elisabeth
(Sudermann), 135
Sudermann, Emmy, 138, 164
Sudermann, Ema, 422
Sudermann, Eva (Friesen), 140
Sudermann, Gerhard, 141
Sudermann, Heinrich, 134
Sudermann, Heinrich, 136
Sudermann. Heinrich Jakob, 134
Sudennann, Helena, 140
Sudermann, Helena Johann
(Penner), 116
Sudennann. Helene (Voth), 143
Sudermann. Hermann, 135, 157,
158
Sudermann, Hermann, 135
Sudermann, Hermann Abraham,
135
Sudermann, Hermann E, 136,
169
Sudermann. Hermann Woelke,
136, 161. 169
Sudermann, Isaak. 137, 161
Sudermann, J, 240. 244
Sudermann, Jakob, 134
Sudermann, Jakob, 136
Sudermann, Jakob, 137, 161
Sudermann, Jakob, 137, 153
Sudermann. Jakob. 138, 172
Sudermann, Jakob, 139
Sudermann, Jakob, 140
Sudermann, Jakob Isaak, 54,
137, 172, 173
Susermann, Jakob Johann, 240
Sudermann, Johann. 138
Sudennann, Johann, 140
Sudermann, Johann Abraham.
139
Sudennann, Johanna, 138
Sudermann. Katharina
(Bahnmann), 72, 165
Sudermann, Leonhard, 141
Sudennann, Leonhard Abraham,
55, 140. 157, 158, 159, 165,
169. 170, 186, 187, 188, 191,
193-202
Sudennann, Leonhard Jakob,
57, 137, 140, 159, 160, 162,
164
Sudermann, Leonhard Leonhard,
141
Sudermann, Luise
(Simmersbach), 138
Sudermann, Margaretha, 140
Sudermann, Maria, 135
Sudermann, Maria, 136
Sudermann, Maria (Tcheretz),
138, 164
Sudermann, Maria (Bartel), 136,
169
Sudermann, Maria (Esau), 91
Sudermann, Maria (Klassen), 236
Sudennann. Maria (Sudermann),
133, 169, 194-202
Sudennann, Marie (Klassen),
236, 243
Sudermann, Martha, 135
Sudermann, Mrs, 134
Sudermann, N, 141. 164
Sudermann, Theodor, 422
Sudermann, theodor, 422
Sudermann, Peter, 136
Sudennann, Peter, 138, 160, 172
Sudermann, Peter, 138
Sudermann, Peter, 58, 141, 240
Sudermann, Salomon (Sam), 137,
169
Sudermann, Sara (Riesen, von)
(Quiring), 118, 130. 134, 168
Sudermann, Sara (Warkentin),
136, 169
Sukkau, Alexander, 57,142
T
Teichrieb, Franz. 410, 422. 435,
436
Teske, Miss M, 240, 244
Thessmann, Mrs (Duekmann),
415,425
Thiessen, Adina, 23
Thiessen, Aganetha, 23
Thiessen, Agatha (Entz), 89, 166
Thiessen, Anna, 292
Thiessen, Anna (Dueck), 8
Thiessen, Anna (Janzen)
(Thiessen), 422
Thiessen, David, 142
Thiessen, David. 292
Thiessen, David, 292
Thiessen, David Abram, 292
Thiessen, Elisabeth, 23
Thiessen, Elisabeth, 142
Thiessen, Ema Peter, 292
Thiessen, Gerhard, 23
Thiessen. H, 292, 310
Thiessen, Hanna, 23
450
Thiessen, Heinrich, 240
Thiessen, Helena, 23
Thiessen, Helena, 292
Thiessen, Helene (Janzen), 362,
371
Thiessen, Irma, 292
Thiessen, Malvina, 23
Thiessen, Maria (Rempel), 122,
168
Thiessen, Mr, 23
Thiessen, Peter, 23
Thiessen, Peter Johann , 422
Thiessen, Wilhelmina, 292
Thomsen, Children (4), 241
Thomsen, Heinrich Gerhard, 241
Thomsen, Mrs, 241
Tjahrt, Paul Peter, 142, 164
Toews, Abram, 142
Toews, Aron Johann, 423, 429
Toews, Franz, 142, 169
Toews, Heinrich, 142, 169
Toews, Helena, 142
Toews, Isbrand, 142, 169
Toews, Johann, 142, 169
Toews, Johann Heinrich, 142,
169
Toews, Katharina (Unruh), 24, 44
Toews, Margaretha (Peters), 117
Toews, Maria, 143, 169
Toews, Peter, 142, 169
Tcheretz, Alexander, 138
Tcheretz, Anna, 138
Tcheretz, Georg, 138
Tcheretz, Lydia, 138
Tcheretz, Sergei, 138
Tcheretz, Valerian, 138
Tcheretz, Victor, 138
U
Unger, Abram, 292, 300
Unger, Children (2), 292
Unger, Mr, 23
Unger, Mr, 375, 381,382
Unger, Mrs, 23
Unger, Mrs, 292
Unger, Son, 23
Unrau, Children (6), 292, 423
Unrau, Heinrich Heinrich, 292,
309, 423
Unrau, Helena (Neufeld), 364
Unruh, Abraham, 24, 45
Unruh, Abraham Heinrich, 1, 9,
13,24, 14, 16, 18,22, 23,
31-34, 43-51,323,423,429
Unruh, Anna (Komelsen)
(Bachman), 381
Unruh, Benjamin Heinrich, 43,
45,423
Unruh, David Heinrich, 24, 37,
38
Unruh, Elisabeth, 24, 45
Unruh, Eva (Sudermann), 137
Unruh, Heinrich, 24, 45
Unruh, Helena (Lena), 25
Unruh, Johann, 24, 45
Unruh, Katharina, 24,45
Unruh, Komelius, 24, 45
Unruh, Komelius Heinrich, 25,
43
Unruh, Martha, 25
Unruh, Mr, 381
Unruh, Mrs, 381
Unruh, Victor, 24,45
V
Vetter, Elisabeth Ludwig
(Wagner), 143
Vogt, Abram, 394
Voth, Benjamin, 292, 301
Voth, Children (3), 241
Voth, David, 143
Voth, Elisabeth (Dyck), 271
Voth, Gerhard, 143, 161
Voth, Gerhard, 143
Voth, Heinrich, 143, 161
Voth, Hermann, 148
Voth, Mrs, 241
Voth, Mrs, 292
Voth, Peter Andreas, 241
Voth, Tobias, 143
W
Wagner, Albrecht Martin, 143
Wagner, Alma, 143
Wall, A J, 144
Wall, Anna, 145, 151
Wall, Anna, 145, 151
Wall, Elisabeth (Unruh), 24,
43-47
Wall, Elvira (Elfie), 145
Wall, Fedor, 145, 151
Wall, Gerhard, 144
Wall, Heinrich Heinrich, 381
Wall, Helena, 381
Wall, Jakob Peter, 143, 173
Wall, Johann, 145, 151
Wall, Johann Jakob, 241
Wall, Johann Peter, 144, 154,
173,175
Wall, Maria, 145, 151
Wall, Mr, 144
Wall, Mr, 145
Wall, Mr, 145
Wall, Mr, 145
Wall, Mr, 145
Wall, Mr, 145
Wall, Mrs, 145
Wall, Mrs, 145
Wall, Mrs, 145
Wall, Mrs, 145
Wall, Mrs, 145
Wall, Olga, 381
Wall, Paulina, 381
Wall, Rena, 144
Wallmann, Elisabeth, 145, 151
Wallmann, Maria, 241
Wallmann, Mr, 145
Wallmann, Mr, 241
Wallmann, Mrs, 145
Wallmann, Mrs, 241
Wallmann, Peter, 241,245
Warkentin, Agatha, 292
Warkentin, Dietrich Johann, 25
Warkentin, Elisabeth, 25
Warkentin, Elisabeth, 292
Warkentin, Elisabeth, 292
Warkentin, Gerhard, 145, 154
Warkentin, Heinrich Abram, 292
Warkentin, Helena (Dyck), 270
Warkentin, Helena Nikolai, 292
Warkentin, Jakob, 220, 241, 251
Warkentin, Jakob (Jr), 241, 245
Warkentin, J J, 241
Warkentin, Katharina, 25
Warkentin, Margaretha, 25
Warkentin, Maria, 25
Warkentin, Maria, 145, 154
Warkentin, Peter P, 292
Wedel, Amalia, 146, 151
Wedel, Benjamin, 54, 145, 174
Wedel, Carolina, 145
Wedel, Mr, 146
Wedel, Mrs, 146
Weier, Dietrich, 25
Weier, Jakob, 25
Weier, Johann, 25
Wiebe, Abraham, 146, 158
Wiebe, Abraham, 146
Wiebe, Abraham, 146
451
Wiebe, Abram, 146
Wiebe, Abram, 146
Wiebe, Aganetha (Miller), 293
Wiebe. Child (1), 292
Wiebe. Children (3), 292
Wiebe. Widow David, 292, 301
Wiebe, Elisabeth (Heide), 293
Wiebe, Elisabeth (Regehr), 146
Wiebe, Heinrich, 382, 383
Wiebe, Helena (Janzen). 109
Wiebe, Helena Peter, 292
Wiebe, Jakob, 146, 174
Wiebe, Johann, 293, 298, 308
Wiebe, Widow Johann, 292, 300,
301
Wiebe, Katharina (Lohrenz), 112,
167
Wiebe, Margaretha (Pauls)
(Fast), 146
Wiebe, Margaretha (Enns), 87
Wiebe, Marie (Riesen, von), 131
Wiebe, Mrs, 146
Wiebe. Mrs, 147
Wiebe, Nikolai, 146
Wiebe, Peter, 57, 147, 157
Wiebe. Peter. 147
Wiebe, Peter Jakob, 147
Wiebe, Wilhelm (Bill), 293
Wieler, Bernhard, 147, 161
Wiens, Abram, 293
Wiens, Aganetha (Natascha)
(Koop), 148
Wiens, Anna, 424, 425,428
Wiens, Anna (Ediger), 272
Wiens, Anna (Schroeder), 148,
152, 241
Wiens. Aron, 356, 366, 370
Wiens, Bernhard, 147
Wiens, Cornelius, 293
Wiens, D, 55, 108, 147, 174, 179
Wiens, Elisabeth (Rempel), 126,
155, 156
Wiens, Franz, 293
Wiens, Gerhard, 293
Wiens, Heinrich, 424
Wiens, Helena, 147
Wiens, Ivan. 293
Wiens. Jakob Gerhard, 293
Wiens, Johann, 147, 161
Wiens, Julius. 54, 147. 174
Wiens, Katharina Nikolai
(Bahnmann) (Dyck) (Regier),
119, 152, 161,241
Wiens, Margaretha (Voth), 148,
152
Wiens, Maria, 293
Wiens, Maria (Guenther), 100,
148, 152
Wiens, Maria (Rempel), 125
Wiens, Martha (Janzen), 277
Wiens, Mr, 147
Wiens, Mrs, 147
Wiens, Nilolai Johann, 54, 148,
152, 161, 172, 174, 241
Wiens, Olga, 293
Wiens, Peter, 149
Wiens, Peter, 366
Wiens, Riva Maria, 424
Wiens. Sara, 366
Wiens, Susanna, 293
Wiens, Susanna (Rempel), 121,
156
Wiens, Wilhelm, 293
Willems, Anna (Fehderau), 94
Willems. Katharina, 149, 151
Willems, Mr. 149
Willems, Mrs, 149
Willms, Anna Peter, 149
Willms, David, 241. 245
Willms, Elisabeth (Fehderau), 95
Willms, Franz, 126, 155, 161
Willms. Franz M, 149
Willms, H, 149
Willms, Jakob, 149, 161
Willms, Johann, 25, 32
Willms. Maria (Davidenko), 424
Willms. Maria (Dueek), 82
Willms. Mrs, 149, 161
Willms. Peter, 149, 161
Willms, Peter Peter, 149
Willms, Wife (Janzen), 108
Winter, Abram, 293
Winter, Mr, 293
Winter. Mrs, 293
Winter. Sons (4), 293
Woelk. Aganetha, 382
Woelk, Katharina, 382
Woelke, Elisabeth (Sudermann),
133, 194
X
X, Mr, 149
Y
Y, Mr, 150, 171
Y, Mrs, 150, 171
452
WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
LINEAR MEASUREMENTS
1 vershok 1/16 arshin 1.7 inches 4.4 cm
1 arshin 16 vershok 28.0 inches 71.12 cm
1 sazhen 3 arshin 7.0 feet 213.36 cm
(faden or fathom)
1 verst 500 sazhen .663 miles 1.0668 km
(fathoms) (3,500 feet)
LAND AREA
1 dessiatine 2,400 square 2.7 acres
sazhen or fathoms
1 morgen .234 dessiatines .631 acres
(Prussian)
WEIGHTS
1 zolotnik
1 funt
(Russian pound)
1 pud
(pood)
DRY MEASURES (mostly grains)
1 chetverik 1/8 chetvert
1 chetvert 8 chetverik
8 puds
1 fuder 1 ladder wagon full
MONETARY
1 ruble 100 kopeks
The silver ruble was
often worth considerably
more than the paper ruble
Specific values of weights and measures used in Russia have varied from time to time. Some were eventually
standardized by imperial decree, and thereafter remained unchanged. The values quoted in this table are those which
were, according to our best information, in common use in Russia during the time the Mennonites lived there. In 1918
all weights and measurements in the Soviet Union were changed to the metric system.
Table taken from Hierschau: An Example of Russian Mennonite Life
value in Canadian and U.S. currency has
varied from time to time
.75 bushels (U.S.) 26.24 litres
.73 bushels (Imperial)
5.96 bushels (U.S.) 209.92 litres
5.77 bushels (Imperial)
1/96 funt .33 oz 4.26 grams
96 zolotnik 12.0 oz 409.5 grams
40 funts 36.11 lbs 16.38 kgs
1.0925 hectares
.255 hectares
453
CZARS (TSARS) OF RUSSIA
DURING THE MENNONITE PERIOD
Catherine II
(The Great)
1762-1796
Conquered the Crimea and opened southern Russia for
settlement. First invited the Mennonites to Russia
Paul I
1796-1801
Confirmed Mennonite privileges
Alexander I
1801-1825
Allied with, then fought against Napoleon
Nicholas l
1825-1855
Autocratic, police state, but some economic reforms
Alexander II
1855-1881
Introduced many reforms. Start of Russification of
minorities, including Mennonites. Assassinated
Alexander III
1881-1894
More authoritarian, although industry did well
Nicholas 11
1894-1917
Politically weak and unreliable. Shot with most of
family in 1918
RUSSO-TURKISH WARS
In general these wars could be characterized by a gradual weakening and territorial loss by
the Turkish Empire. Russia’s ambitions were to gain more territory in southern Ukraine and around
the Black Sea, to become the dominant power in the Balkans, to gain access first to the Black Sea,
then to the Mediterranean Sea. Peter the Great (1682-1725) forced the Turks out of most of what
now is Ukraine.
1736-1739
1768-1774
1787-1792
1806-1812
1828-1829
1853-1856
1877-1878
1914-1917
Dardanelles, but did not succeed.
hi wars during the eighteenth century Russia and Austria
were allies against the Turks. Catherine the Great
conquered areas north of the Black Sea and the Crimea
and opened southern Russia for settlement
Russia gained Bessarabia
Russia gained control of the eastern coast of the Black Sea
Crimean War. Britain and France allied with the Turks. Russia
lost dominant position in Balkans and Black Sea.
Russia regained some of the losses of the Crimean War
World War I. Russia had hoped to gain Constantinople and the
454
DATES AND CALENDARS
No attempt has been made in this index to differentiate or correct dates as to the Julian (Old
Style) or Gregorian (New Style) calendars.
The Julian Calender was in common use in Europe after it was authorized by Julius Caesar
in 46 B.C., but increasing discrepancy with the seasons was noted. Pope Gregory XIII announced
that the day after October 4,1582 was to become October 15, thereby correcting the calendar by ten
days. To prevent any further deviation it was also decreed that adjustments would be made to the
leap years. Centennial years would be ordinary years unless they were divisible by 400; 1600 was
therefore a leap year, but 1700, 1800 and 1900 were not. 2000 was a leap year. This corrects as
closely as possible for the accepted actual length of the year, being 365.2422 days.
Most western Catholic countries accepted the Gregorian Calendar soon after it was
announced, although Protestant states such as Denmark, the Netherlands and northern Germany
waited until 1700; Britain came on stream in 1752. Because the Gregorian Calender had been
promulgated by a Roman Catholic pope it was not accepted by the Russian Orthodox Church and
therefore not by Russia.
In the calculation of any historical dates, therefore, one has to know both the date and the
country in which the event transpired. Initially the discrepancy was ten days; this changed to 11 on
March 1, 1700, then 12 on March 1, 1800 and to 13 days after March 1, 1900. There has been no
additional discrepancy calculated this century because 2000 was a leap year.
The Julian Calendar was in use in Russia until February, 1918, when the revolutionary
government decreed a switch. February 1 became February 14, thereby catching up the 13 days. The
Russian Orthodox Church, however, still maintained the Julian Calendar, and to this day (2006)
some churches use it.
The early Anabaptists obviously used the Julian Calendar, then increasingly after 1582 were
in areas of Europe where the Gregorian Calendar was in vogue. Mennonites in Prussia used the
Gregorian (New Style), but then had to switch to the Julian (Old Style) when they moved to Russia.
Because of this peculiarity of dates, some Mennonites celebrated Easter in Prussia, then celebrated
it again some days later in Russia.
After February, 1918, all official documentation in the Soviet Union was according to the
Gregorian Calendar. Some Mennonites accepted this wholeheartedly and even corrected family
records to reflect this change. Others, for various reasons, did not. Some maintained old dates, such
as birthdays, simply for sentimental reasons. For this index where primary sources have been used
from the czarist times in Russia, presumably dates will be Julian; where primary sources are from
after February, 1918, they may be Gregorian.
455
AUTHOR AND CARTOGRAPHER
Helmut Theodore Huebert is a practicing orthopaedic surgeon in Winnipeg, Canada, now
semi-retired. He was bom in Bassano, Alberta, but then as a boy moved from place to place during
the time his father intermittently taught Bible school and received further education. In 1948 the
family settled in Winnipeg, where Huebert obtained his high school education at the Mennonite
Brethren Collegiate Institute. He then went on to the University of Manitoba, where he also received
most of his post-graduate education.
While pursuing his chosen profession, Huebert also has a deep commitment to Jesus Christ.
This has been expressed by his participation in the local congregation, the Portage Avenue
Mennonite Brethren Church, as well as provincial and national boards, and a number of international
medical assignments.
One of Huebert’s longstanding interests is history, particularly that of his own heritage,
Mennonite history. He attributes some of this interest to his high school Mennonite history teacher,
Gerhard Lohrenz. Huebert has published Hierschau: An example of Russian Mennonite Life (1986),
Kornelius Martens: Our Skillful Advocate (1986), Events and People: Events in Russian Mennonite
History and the People that made them Happen (1999), Mo/otschna Historical Atlas (2003) and
Mennonite Estates in Imperial Russia (2005). Huebert and William Schroeder have collaborated in
the production of the Mennonite Historical Atlas (First Edition 1990, Second Edition 1996), which
has sold well over 6,000 copies.
Helmut and his wife Dorothy have three children: Karen, David and Susan.
456
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